Being a student and a ghostbuster had proven to be exhausting, though, since I was down to one class since they had removed the Parapsychology department entirely. It was late in the semester, which led to the odd way the University handled it by considering the classes as completed with the grades I had present, which, luckily, were all A's.
However, I believe that was due to Venkman being in charge of putting my grades into the system. There were some things I had difficulty understanding, such as the relation between psychokinetic energy and the multiversal reactions to the strengthening of the Big Bang or something like that. With a field that is so new and few verifiable sources, the materials were mostly speculative, with the oddest citation of someone citing someone in the future who will have a dream that will reveal the answer.
The part that got to me was that I believed it considering some of the dreams I had in my last life, though that was due to Being X, then it was some other thing the text was claiming. Since the University had me in a single class on Wednesday and did not refund me the money for the classes, they had me in a weird place where I was still considered a full-time student with the additional benefits of a part-time student.
The University had not removed an entire department mid-way through the semester, and as the only student, the whole system was having trouble fully defining what I was. Even then, I was almost done with my bachelor's degree, and I was on course to graduate in December, but the business was just now getting busy with calls going off at all hours of the day.
The only day I had off was Wednesday for class; even then, the second class was over. They were bugging me to get back as soon as possible, though, after one week, I told them to knock it off, which they did to allow me to do homework since any attempts to do it at the firehouse had been proven to be impossible with all the damn calls.
However, the fame had only exploded more as we entered week 2 of doing actual business, going from call to call and being followed by more and more people curious about the Ghostbusters. We even got calls about interviews and questions on everything ranging from diet, technology, and franchise opportunities. Though as much as we all agreed franchising was essential later on down the line, it was not in the cards currently.
The focus was to hire more help, and though we had put ads in the papers and other locations, not a single call was about the job opportunities.
As much as the guys seemed to enjoy busting ghosts, we were getting run-ragged. Janine also hoped someone would apply for the secretary position since she constantly got calls.
To help her, I would man the phones to give her time for her breaks. The amount of work we were all clocking in would be horrible if it were constant and would be mentally, physically, and possibly illegal. My presence is a jeopardy to the business. Still, the actual law is odd since, from everything I've read and asked about professors and my understanding of the law, I am not supposed to happen and have yet to be considered an option in the legal sense.
Though I often refer to it as an orphanage, the institute I grew up in was a boarding school. I did start in an orphanage, but I got moved to board school due to my academic prowess until I graduated from that and into Columbia University, which has placed me into an odd area of not being emancipated since I have not graduated but with no official guardian meaning that there is not someone to be emancipated from and with the orphanage giving me to a boarding school I did not have the orphanage to be from and though I am 14 I should only be working about 3 hours.
However, if that was the case, I should only be doing the phones since the busting would be too dangerous for someone my age. Still, since I am all but emancipated and since I am in college, this is technically an internship while also being a job. The whole thing needs to be clarified, leaving me trapped in the technicalities of bureaucracy. However, to be on the safe side of things, the best course of action I can think of now is to be adopted by one of the guys since it would then be me working in a family business and, therefore, allowed.
That brings me a new headache of which of the three I have be the legal guardian of me. Each of them would have its benefits and drawbacks. Venkman would be ideal because he would leave me alone with his focus on being a bachelor, and I would only be a pickup line for him regarding the issues of being a single dad. The drawback is that I would be left alone by him.
I don't benefit from it that much except for the occasional things like paperwork, and he doesn't seem to be the supporting type. Then there is Stantz, who would be the supportive type but most likely in the smothering type, and I value not being smothered, which would not be suitable for Stantz since I would come off as cold, and I do not think I want to put him through that emotional situation.
Finally, there is Spengler, but I'm not sure it is a good idea. I will need to discuss this with the three of them since there is a good possibility that there are factors in their lives that I do not know about due to our work-focused environment. It's best to wait till we have a calmer situation before I bring it up. However, the calls would need to be quiet to do so.
The calls we most recently have preferred are the talk shows since they allow us to rest and enjoy our newfound fame well more, so the guys are enjoying it. I tolerate the fame, but there are some benefits to it. The first television interview we agreed to do was the David Letterman show, with Venkman volunteering.
Still, I told them that it would be best to have at least two on the show since Letterman would ask questions that Venkman could not answer and that he couldn't re-direct all of the questions. So Spengler went with him to explain since Spengler could explain things in a way that confuses most. I did not watch the whole interview, but it was a good sign from what I had seen. Venkman was a natural at deflecting damaging information when Letterman had asked him.
"I'd imagine that dealing with ghosts regularly would lead to seeing terrifying spooks. What I'm trying to say is, what is the scariest thing you've seen since starting Ghostbusters?" A question that, while seemingly simple, could lead to disastrous results with hiring in our already nonexistent hiring process.
"Well, David, nothing has terrified me more than just before the show when I accidentally walked into Larry Bud Melman's dressing room," Venkman said, smiling afterward with the audience laughing. At the same time, David Letterman chuckled but was not satisfied with the response.
The interview would continue with the job seeming like a great opportunity by the end of it. Spengler could explain any and all questions Letterman had that answered the question, but it was confusing enough that people couldn't try to recreate our technology. Then Venkman brought up getting slimed. That is where we lost a lot of future employees.
While having an accurate idea of what a job entails, they should enter under an idealist view before the horror of what the actual job entails is exposed. A firefighter will expect to put out fires but doesn't realize that most of the job is EMS calls, and then it is fighting actual fires. However, that is for the firefighters combined into EMS rather than separate, but even then, there is little firefighting for most of them.
The sliming aspect of the job should be more like a surprise until we find out the adverse effects of ectoplasm on the human body and possibly the soul. Though the interview wasn't quite as perfect as I would have liked, it was satisfactory. A day after the Letterman interview, we got a call to attend the Joe Franklin show, which we accepted.
Stantz and I attended this time, though it was a bit of a risk since I had previously avoided being on any of the media inquiries and the advertisements. It would be inevitable that I would be known as one of this new business's founding members and the group's youngest. It would have to be discussed. The risk came from the possible immediate investigation of child labor laws and the mess that could come from it.
Still, if my role could be downplayed to be seen less as a founder and more as an interning college student, it would be seen less as a possible child labor case and just as a college student getting experience. On the beneficial side, if done correctly, the combination of Stantz and I could lead to possibly a younger demographic of people getting a job at the company, specifically college-age people.
The addition of my going is also to show that the new business is open to equal employment opportunities. While not as shocking as my previous life or that of my first, it is crucial to show to the public in the current changing times. When Stantz and I arrived to do the show, we both arrived wearing appropriate business attire, and though it was suggested by one of the producers that I change into a dress when we arrived, I promptly said no, and we continued.
We had to prepare for some light makeup to be seen on the television. Then, we are seated on the chair and couch just before the show begins. Joe Franklin sits behind his desk, checking everything he needs before turning to us, welcoming us, and finishing basic introductions before the light dimmed. The music started to play, letting us know the show was about to begin. As the music faded and the lights brightened, Joe started the show.
"Hello, friends. I want to start by saying we have an exciting line of people today. We have the author of a new book and some albums from a band visiting us in the studio, but first, we have you, dear viewer. I can't thank you enough for being here and now the talk of the town, the Ghostbusters. Is the first interview for the members present tonight, Dr. Raymond Stantz and Tanya Degurechaff? Am I saying that right?" Joe Franklin said, leaning closer to both Stantz and me.
"Yes, that is right, and yes, it is the first time we have done an interview," I said.
"Just Ray is fine," Stantz said.
"You know Ray, every time I hear of you, I can't help but think of that old Bob Hope movie," Joe Franklin said with a smile.
"Actually, Joe, the title of that film was called Ghostbreakers. Olsen and Johnson did Ghostcatchers, and the Bowery boys did Ghost Chasers, Hold That Ghost, Spooks Run Wild, Spook Busters, and Spook Chasers. Then there is that show in 1975 with the gorilla." Stantz said with a smile and a chance to show off the media knowledge that most likely inspired him.
"Well, in any case, there is one big question on everyone's mind, and you are both certainly in a position to answer it for us: Have you seen Elvis, and how is he?" Joe asked, leaving Stantz stunned for a moment.
"Well, I'm sad to say we have not run into Elvis yet, for his manifestation point would not be here in New York. His time here was short when compared to other places he visited in his life. So, while our study of how ghosts manifest and how they exist and operate is still new and has not had the opportunity or the time to test our theories on our hypothesis correctly, our current understanding is that Elvis would most likely manifest in his home in Tennesse since it was not only the location of his passing but it is also where many of his possessions are currently located." I said before realizing I probably should have phrased it better.
"Fascinating, so if I die here, you're saying I could continue the show for at least a few more seasons," Jeff said with a chuckle.
"Theoretically, but if that's what you want to do with your afterlife, that's up to you," I responded.
After that, the rest of the interview went alright. A few questions about my age eventually came up, but I believe I handled it correctly. The rest was on the business, how it came to be, and how our job works. We even brought some of our equipment for Joe to try on with our guidance and turned it off for his safety and that of the crew working the set. It seemed pretty popular with Joe, but nothing too exciting came about.
The unfortunate effect of appearing on late-night television and being known as the girl associated with the new company was not made known until Wednesday on my day off from the job, when I attended class. Since I started doing the side business of ghostbusting, my time in the dorms has been nearly nonexistent since I would do all of my classwork in the dorm only after leaving the firehouse.
All homework that needed to be done was done as soon as class was over, and any work I had not done by the time I returned to the firehouse was either taken with me or left at the dorm for when I returned Tuesday night and was completed before class began. So, as I left my dorm that Wednesday morning to get my morning coffee, I found my fellow students staring at me.
However, it has more to do with my outfit since I was exhausted; I had not changed out of my flight suit and boots. I do plan on changing, but my priority was coffee. In line, I noticed people were staring, which was fine. Sure, you see students in odd outfits, so this was expected, but it should only be a simple glance, not long awkward stares.
Not even the ROTC students got this many stares on uniform days. Though that was most likely due to repeated exposure, the stares were still evident. While ordering my coffee, the barista started asking me questions about the job, which I didn't mind answering but was short, sweet, and to the point, with the conversation ending when they handed my coffee to me.
After I got my coffee and began walking away, a girl stood before me and nervously held a magazine and a marker before asking for my autograph and if I could make it out to her. After realizing the request, I took a deep breath and contemplated what to do.
On the one hand, I don't like signing things that I don't have to sign since they could be used to forge documents I did not read or agree to, but this is an excellent opportunity for public relations. For some, this is a desired collectible to have celebrities sign things. Why someone would want a Ghostbusters signature does not make sense to me since we are just doing the equivalent of capturing pests.
The pests are just ghosts, but it is still weird to desire my signature. After breathing out my held breath, I said sure as I took the marker, handed my coffee, and took the magazine with the promotional photos we did on the cover of Time magazine called The Supernatural Success Story.
I indicated for her to turn around where I leaned the magazine on her shoulder and signed my name with the addition of a circle crossed out but added a lowercase T on the top, followed by adding the tagline from the commercial that the guys did of "Who Who Gonna Call" followed by her name. Then I tapped her shoulder to have her turn around, and I handed her the magazine and marker as she handed me my coffee.
She asks some routine questions that I suspect are normal, like "What are ghosts like?" and "What is the scariest thing you've seen?" and other such questions I answer but mostly just try to get away, and after a moment, she leaves. Then I realize I have walked into a trap. Damn, this new body's lack of instinct.
I am suddenly swarmed by a massive group of college students asking for Autographs, photos, and questions, Whether it's an engineering student asking how the tech works or girls asking about the guys. Philosophy students are trying to debate the morality of capturing ghosts, the unintended consequences of proving one philosopher over another, and something about ruining Socrates's next step in understanding the reality of life or something like that.
I would run, but it happened too soon, and I was surrounded. After an hour of signing autographs and answering questions, a gap opened, and I could escape long enough to prepare for class. Instead of my usal early arrival, I was only on time to class. Class, for the most part, was calm since the professor did not allow for any change in subject during class.
After, though, I had to dash out quickly as I noticed students walking towards me since I sat in my regular unassigned spot of the front row on the farthest right. Still, the door was on the left, so when students on the left walked from the door and the professor, I knew it was not a coincidence since the professor was close to the door. After making it back to my dorm, I finished my work for the class.
Luckily, the professor did not assign homework, so I refreshed the information discussed during class and the required reading. After waking up, I had to sneak out of my dorm since I suspected that I might be mobbed again. With Wednesday over, I had to go back to the firehouse.
After returning, we would be swamped with back-to-back calls, even prioritizing quicker jobs and Janine creating a job board of jobs to do and the week's schedule. Unlike EMS and firefighting, the benefit of this being a non-emergency service was that we had time to do jobs, but we were always packed going from one job to the next.
We stuck to always doing two manned teams since the disasters of separating were evident with the Sedgwick and attempting to figure out what needed to be done during a bust to maximize safety and productivity. This led to us becoming increasingly tired with every moment, either working on the job or writing after-bust reports with the occasional investigation into Dana Barrett's case about Zuul.
We have found information that Zuul was the servant of a Sumerian god, Gozer. Stantz Spengler and I were presently focusing on the connection between Gozer and her apartment building since the idea that a Sumerian god's servant was chilling in a random lady's fridge in New York just makes no sense at one point we theorized she might have an artifact.
Still, after talking to Venkman about her apartment and the reading, he found that idea was shot down since if it were because of an artifact, there would be some sort of reading. Still, there was none in the data, and even if it was an artifact, why was it in the fridge instead of where the theoretical artifact was? The investigation into the fridge indicated that at no point in the design creation, production, or shipping would allow for any reasonable connection.
All theories are currently on the building and possibly the designer or builders. However, looking into a random apartment building in New York to see if it has a connection relating to the case has turned up very little. The stress of both class and the job the investigation was starting to get to everyone. We needed a rest after slamming a combined 20 ghost busts. Just as I laid my head down and began drifting off to sleep, the alarm went off, sending me flying down the pole in a rush that I could not recall from lying in bed to now in the Ecto.
"Could someone tell me where we are heading? I kinda spaced out for a moment there." I said after snapping back to reality.
"Damn, kid, and I thought I was out of it," Venkman said with his arm over the seat to look at Spengler and me in the back.
"We are going to the Rose. We usually would have called it a night by now, but this was described as an emergency. It seems our ghost has captured some people and is holding them hostage." Spengler said.
"Wait, the Rose, as in the nightclub," I asked.
"Brings a new meaning of dancing till you drop," Stantz said, turning around for a bit.
"Road," I yelled as he looked back. We sped through a red light. "How have we not gotten ticketed yet?"
After parking, we went to the front of the nightclub, where we met a man in his early 20s with a popped blue shirt collar, a pink tie, and a dark grey suit jacket who was pacing in front of the doors.
"Thank god you got here. I just woke up after something knocked me out, and I couldn't get in, which I knew had to be something since I have a key and it wouldn't work. I think the line rushed in and is trapped. Please, this situation is not up to code. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen." He sputted out while Venkman walked over to the doors, and a single pull shook his head.
"Tanya, would you please?" Venkman said as we walked away from the door, and Stantz moved the guy away from my line of fire.
While I blasted the door, Stantz explained to the now-mortified guy, "Don't worry, this is just a quick pulse of positively charged protons applied to the negative Spectrum Psychokinetic Energy barrier sealing the door."
"Just feel glad Egon hasn't finished the grenades yet." Venkman snarked.
We heard music from the distance as we walked into the club. It was newer music that I didn't recognize since my taste in music has been forever screwed up my lifetimes.
"Say music is still going. What is that new wave? Glam? I don't keep up with music." Venkman asked, "Ray?"
"I only know the Blues," Stantz answered.
"It's Prince. These readings are not good guys." Spengler said to everyone's surprise.
"When are any readings good, Egon?" I asked.
"Well, it's best to be wary. We still don't have a firm …" Stantz said before something over the balcony stopped him in his tracks, causing all of us to look over the edge.
The main dance floor contained what looked to be a massive crowd of people dancing, but closer inspection showed that all were floating in the air. After reaching the dance floor, the dancers were anywhere from a few feet to 15 feet in the air.
"Not going to lie, I think this is the most impressive thing I've seen a ghost do so far," I said, watching the crowd dance.
"Not to mention, this impressive feat is made more so with the sophisticated Teleckintic activity required. It requires unprecedented control to pull off." Spengler said, pushing his glasses up.
"I'll say. I spot at least 11 different dances ranging from the Swing, the twist, the bird, the fly, foxtrot, the hustle, the …" Stantz listed off as he began to hover above us, "Guys, it got me, help."
Sure enough, Stantz, while in the air, began to dance moves that would make John Travolta proud. Noticing this without looking at each other and possibly due to our tired and stressed state, we started giggling.
"I hear you guys laughing. Just catch the thing." Stantz yelled as he changed his dancing to go to the Jerk.
"Say, why didn't it take us?" I asked
"Yeah, do we just lack rhythm?" Venkman continued my question.
"First, that's not the case. I dance like a god, but if I were to guess, I would assume Ray's knowledge of dances attracted the ghost to his presence," Spengler answered.
"If we remove the music, the ghost will reveal itself," I asked.
"One way to find out," Venkman said before blasting the DJ's booth.
The booth exploded but then stopped and put itself together and continued playing. The dancers and Stantz then started doing a kickline with kicks that Stantz should not have done without stretching first.
"Well, that didn't work," Venkman said disappointedly.
"What did I say about needless destruction of property? We could've just tried turning it off." I yelled at him, "We can't just hope that everything we destroy the ghost will fix."
"Eh, it's more fun that way. Since that didn't work, maybe Egon should challenge it to a dance contest." Venkman shrugged.
After a moment, Spengler sighed before beginning to dance. The dancing was impressive, but it was missing something.
"Have you thought of adding some of these? Egon might make it more intimidating," I said before dancing with the skill learned from a few dance classes I took in the past.
Eventually, the dance that Spengler and I were doing was working, though a bit sluggish due to the packs on our backs along with our equipment, but with some assistance of what I assumed was the remaining magic, I was reborn with my dancing was refined since the weight wasn't slowing me down.
The ghost finally decided to appear as the other dancers floating approve turned into a conga line. The ghost was that of a guy in a bright tracksuit with spiked hair and a headband. The ghost attempted to out-dance us, providing the target to focus on. During a twirl in the dance, I was able to send the trap out, and with a spin with Spengler, we both pulled the neutrino wands out of the pack.
"Now," I shouted as we blasted the ghost, and with a slide to the right, we opened the trap on the ghost.
Knowing it was defeated both on the dance floor and being trapped, the ghost pulled a few moves before the trap closed.
After a moment, the dancers in the air began to fall. After a loud thud, the dancers started to stand up individually. After another moment, they began to cheer and start the party again. Though we were all stressed and tired, we needed an outlet, so after putting the equipment in the car, we joined them and danced the night away.