Gary the Ghost

Gary Studman was the liveliest person I knew, which is an odd thing to say about a ghost but nonetheless true. When he floated into my office with the energy and colors of a dancer at a Brazilian Carnival, I knew he wanted something.

“Gary, how are you? Not in trouble again, I hope,” I said, not even looking up from my paperwork.

“Me? Trouble? Never! A friend can’t just pop in for a visit? Gosh, but you need a maid in this place. And a decorator.” Gary flourished his hands, resting them on his pink, wing-rimmed shades.

“You never stop by for just a visit,” I countered, raising an eyebrow.

“Ya got me!” Gary threw up his hands and dramatically sank through the floor, only to pop up behind my chair a second later.

“I do need a tiny favor, just a bit of one. Something easy, inconsequential to you. A favor between friends.” Gary placed his spectral hand on my shoulder as he said ‘friends,’ and I felt the cold, weighty presence of ghostly existence.

“Nope. No way. Not happening.” I bolted upright so fast that my office chair spun.

Gary had a knack for coaxing services and valuables from every associate with nothing but IOUs and sweet talk. Naturally, I had a few of those IOUs myself. But today, I was drawing the line.

“Don’t be that way, Kally-ally!” Gary took off his shades and fluttered his long eyelashes at me. This ghost clearly had a cosmetic touch-up after death because no one died looking like that. At least, not many who hung around as ghosts.

“Look, no. Rent’s through the roof, and my income is in the toilet. I can’t afford to do free labor.” I folded my arms, standing my ground. Gary seemed to deflate for a moment but quickly recovered, his eyes lighting up with a new idea.

“Just hear me out first! You can still say no later, right?”

I grumbled but agreed, letting Gary explain his issue.

“So, I was down in the zone on 5th and Morgan…” Gary began, launching into a dramatic tale.

It was a long-winded way of telling me that someone had invaded a Phantasmal Zone. Phantasmal Zones were places where the walls of reality were thin, each with its own peculiarities. This one was filled with ghosts who were being knocked silly.

“What do you want me to do about it?” I shrugged.

“Help. Us. Kally. Geez, this chick is really harshing the vibe in the zone. Plus…” Gary's eyes twinkled as he hinted at a juicy piece of gossip. Gary loved to talk.

“...Go on. If you’ve got something interesting to say, now is the time.”

“Fine. I won’t leave you in suspense. I know there is a coin in the zone.”

“You could have led with that,” I said, grabbing my coat off the rack. “5th and Morgan. If I find a coin, then the intruder will be dealt with.”

“Excellent! Wait, what if you don’t find it?” Gary asked, a touch of worry in his voice.

“Then I’m joining her side until you cough up payment for at least one of these IOUs.” I smirked, heading for the door.