Dancing Ghosts

[Rated G, by CJ. Note: this story is only ‘loosely’ based on the Ghostbusters film.

It takes place during the ‘montage’ section.]

8.30 am on a typical Friday morning. I was sitting at my desk sorting through the day’s post when my blonde-haired colleague Jessica ambled by.

“Morning Clare, do you fancy going to The Rose tonight?” The Rose is one of the most popular dance clubs in New York. “Err, yeah, OK, I haven’t got anything planned for this evening” I replied. We agreed to meet at 7pm.

When we arrived we were faced with a huge crowd on the pavement outside the club. “What’s going on?” I ask, understandably curious.

A gentleman standing nearby answered my question. “The Ghostbusters are inside battling with their latest ghost!” he laughed.

“Oh!” I exclaim. The exploits of these guys had been plastered over every newspaper and TV station in the country. It was practically impossible to not know who they were.

“Ooh, is that handsome Peter Venkman here?” Jessica enthused, drooling at the thought. “Yeah, he’s here!” the gentleman replied. I shook my head in anguish.

Fortunately we had arrived just as the ghost was trapped, so we didn’t have to wait too long to get inside. Ecto-1 was parked right outside the front door and as we walked by the guys were busy packing up their stuff.

Jessica stared at Peter as we stepped inside, but he didn’t notice. “Ooh, he’s positively EDIBLE!” she chuckled.

“Come on, leave him enough clothes on to keep his dignity!” I laughed, pulling her towards the front desk. I hurriedly paid for us both while Jessica was still gawking.

Once inside we walked up to the bar and got ourselves a drink each and sat at the nearest available table. We’d only been sitting for a minute or two when I heard cheers and squeals coming from outside above the near deafening sound of voices and music blaring from the disco.

I turned around and amongst the crowd of appreciative folks I spotted the Ghostbusters! ‘Oh no!’ I thought, Jessica’s bound to make the most of this opportunity!!

Of course Peter was ‘lapping up’ all the attention, while Ray and Egon did their best to stay cool. Peter made a beeline for the dance floor, followed by twenty-some ladies!! I noticed the looks of anguish on more than a few ‘boyfriends’ faces!!

Jessica and I sat watching as they danced with various folks. She was intent on having her turn as well, so she hurriedly finished her drink and dragged me down the steps into the ‘madding crowd’.

I kept my distance as Jessica slowly danced her way nearer to Peter. I shook my head again and laughed to myself, I couldn’t help it, it was so obvious what she was doing!!

A small ‘hole’ had opened up in the middle of the crowd where the Ghostbusters were and we made our way to the inside edge of it.

All of a sudden Jessica got her dearest wish!! Peter beckoned to her and she obeyed without question! I couldn’t stop myself from giggling uncontrollably as I watched the two of them dancing away!

After a minute or two I wondered how long Jessica would remain the centre of attention, but I knew that she’d probably stay put for the rest of the evening now!!!

“Hi Clare!” called a voice behind me. I turned round and saw another of my work colleagues, Leona. “Hello, fancy seeing you here!” I laughed. “David and I decided to have an evening out instead of decorating!” Leona explained. David is Leona’s fiancée.

“Will you mind our spot, I’ve just got to powder my nose.” “Sure, I’ve got plenty of entertainment here!” Leona laughed, pointing to Jessica. “Yeah!” “I won’t be a minute” I replied, giggling.

On my return Leona had vanished, but I soon spotted her dancing next to Jessica!! ‘Dear me not you as well!’ I muttered to myself.

I was busily jigging away next to David, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed Ray Stantz, who was standing on the far side of Peter and co., smiling at me.

I looked in his direction for a second or two then looked away and asked David if he minded Leona dancing with Peter. “Well, if it makes her happy!” he laughed. I wondered how long his open-mindedness would last though!!

Sipping my drink I carried on watching Jessica and Leona. They were still dancing like they’d just walked through the door! Peter was starting to tire though, I could tell.

After the next song finished Jessica and Leona came back and we went and sat down at a table. “Well you two certainly got your money’s worth tonight!!” “I think you wore Peter out, look at him, he’s had to sit down too!!” I laughed. Jessica beamed at him, but he was too engrossed with his colleagues to notice.

Over the top of my drink I noticed Ray looking in my direction again. Peter noticed him staring and turned round to find out what held his attention.

“What’ so fascinating Ray?” he asked his bemused colleague. “Huh, wha…oh, nothin’ I was just thinking about…”. Before he could finish Peter interrupted him. “Don’t fool me kiddo, last time I saw you lookin’ like that was when we were back at Uni., you remember the last Xmas ball?”

A fellow female student had taken a shine to Ray and had danced with him all evening. Afterwards she dragged him outside and, well, you know what!!

Ray’s face turned pink with embarrassment. “Yeah, how could I forget, but it wasn’t exactly my fault Peter!” Egon looked indifferent as his two companions kept on making chit-chat on the subject.

After Jessica and Leona had recuperated sufficiently we headed back onto the dance floor. Peter was still sitting down. It took him a few more minutes to get going again! Ray and Egon remained seated, chatting over technical stuff.

When Peter finally got to his feet, he made a beeline for Jessica, who was more than pleased to see him!!! After a moment or two he realised that it was us who Ray had been staring at, but he didn’t know which one of us in particular.

He started making educated guesses as he danced. ‘Can’t be Jessica, she had her back to us, as did Leona… so it must be her he’s got his eye on’ he thought to himself as he smiled at me. I smiled back.

He leaned closer to Jessica and asked her about me. “That’s Clare, one of my work colleagues” she replied. Peter nodded. “Does she know Ray’s been watchin’ her all night?” he laughed.

Jessica looked at me and grinned smugly. “Probably not, she’s a bit slow on the uptake in that department sometimes!” Peter had a ‘let's get them together’ look on his face and Jessica echoed it!!

As the song we’d been dancing to faded and merged into the next, Peter went over to his seated colleagues and interrupted their ‘shop’ talk. “Come on, can’t we forget work for just one night?!” he begged. Egon looked at him unable to let go, but Ray played along with Peter for the sake of peace when they got back to GB-HQ later.

As they walked over to us, “Her name’s Clare…” Peter said, with a sly grin on his face. Ray glared at him. He knew his secret was out!! Peter ushered Ray so he was in between himself and me. Unfortunately at the time I was ‘miles away’ and hadn’t really noticed the impromptu matchmaking.

Ray felt a little awkward at being forced into the situation, but he soon relaxed as he watched me dance, though I don’t think I’m good enough to be worth staring at!!

I looked over at Jessica who grinned back at me and indicated Ray with a nodding gesture. I looked at him then back to Jessica. “What?” I replied, not registering the meaning.

Jessica walked over to me and whispered in my ear, “He fancies you!” she laughed. “Oh, come off it, I don’t think…”. “Peter told me he does!” she interrupted. She went back over to Peter. I glared at her and took no notice.

A little later I had to pay another call and as I walked back through the cloakroom corridor someone hailed me. The voice sounded vaguely familiar. “Clare?” I turned round, but could see no one I knew. Thinking the hail was meant for someone else I continued on my way.

“Hey, Clare?” the voice called again and again I looked around. This time I saw Ray walking quickly after me. I stopped and let him catch up.

“That is right isn’t it?” he asked nervously. “Yes, I’m here with my work pals Jessica and Leona and her fiancée David” I replied. “Oh yeah, Peter’s been dancing with them all night!” he laughed.

“Yeah, I’m afraid Jessica’s got a ‘thing’ for Peter!” I sighed. Ray smiled and I found myself smiling back, but I felt terribly awkward. We paused for a moment, just staring at each other.

All of a sudden someone walked into the corridor from the dance hall and interrupted our staring. “I’d best get back, else I’ll get a grilling!” I laughed.

Ray opened the door and we walked back inside. “Drink?” he asked as I went to step away from him. “Err, yeah, OK, I’m getting a tad thirsty." I followed him to the bar.

As I waited I noticed Jessica looking at me. She did a ‘thumbs up’ and I waved back at her. “Who was that?” Ray asked, noting my wave. “Oh, it was only Jessica checking up on me!” I laughed.

We walked back down to where Egon was sitting and sat down. “Egon this is Clare” Ray said introducing me. “Hello” I said, shaking Egon’s hand. “Hi” he replied, barely registering my presence. He pulled a notepad out of his top pocket and started making calculations. I decided it was best not to interrupt.

I sat watching Jessica and Peter for a moment, interspersed with questions from Ray. They joined us after the next song had finished. “Clare, Leona’s heading home now” Jessica said. “Oh, right.” I stood up and bade Leona and David goodbye.

Jessica sat down next to me and Peter sat in between her and Egon. “Egon I thought we agreed to forget work tonight?!” Egon looked at him, noticed Jessica then went back to his calculations. Peter shook his head and gave up.

We sat there chatting for a few more minutes when I thought it was about time we let the Ghostbusters get away. After all Jessica had more or less been the cause of their prolonged stay after the bust!!

The opportunity to suggest we make tracks presented itself when the club’s manager came up to the table and handed over their monies to Peter.

“I think we’d better let these guys get going” I whispered in Jessica’s ear. “Do we have to?” she replied. “Well, I expect they’ll wanna head off now they’ve got that sorted” I replied as the manager walked away.

“Right, well, we’d better let you guys dash off?” I said to Ray, preparing to get up. He looked at me with a slightly disappointed expression. “Err, well, we should really.” He looked at Egon who was thinking the same thing.

Egon stood up, “Come on Pete, we gotta…”. Peter was too busy holding hands with Jessica to notice what was going on. “Peter!” Ray said more forcefully. Peter glared up at him, then realised he was right. “Sorry girls, we gotta go now.” “It’s alright, we were thinking of making a move ourselves anyway” I replied.

As we all trooped outside we were followed by a few dozen ‘fans’. Egon took the lead, followed by Ray and myself. Ray seemed to be very curious about me and kept asking me about my job and life, but I wasn’t keen on volunteering too much. Peter and Jessica brought up the rear and I overheard Jessica quoting her phone number. I tutted to myself in anguish!!

Once outside another throng had gathered and we were unable to say goodbye, so Jessica and I started to walk down the street towards our respective apartments, which were only a short distance away.

We watched as the Ecto-1 zoomed past us and round a corner out of sight. “Guess that’s the last I’ll hear of that!” Jessica moaned.

“Oh come on, I think we, that is you… had more than enough!” I replied laughing. “Count yourself lucky!” “Yeah, I guess you’re right, just hadn’t figured on it ending like that, that’s all” she added.

We carried on walking, thinking pleasant thoughts and musing over the memories we would be sure to keep forever.