"Dreams are strange things. They often open doors to possibilities the dreamer never knew."
- Pastor Larry, 7/18/99

CAST:
Egon Spengler
Janine Melnitz
Kylie Griffin
Eduardo Rivera
Roland Jackson
Garrett Miller
Slimer (he doesn't speak, he babbles, literally)

Scene 1, the usual Firehouse, the usual stuff. The Ghostbusters are exhausted from another hard day of busting ghosts. It's the weekend, and most of the 'Busters have some time to kill. Eduardo wants to rest for now. However, he wants to gather up his courage and ask Kylie out on a date sometime during the weekend.

Eddie: (yawning) Man, I'm tired. I really need some rest.

Garrett: I'm staying up. Gotta watch Letterman.

Roland: Sounds good to me. (Roland turns on the TV and they watch Letterman.)

Kylie: Wasn't that invigorating ? I had never seen so many ghosts in one place. They must really like old mansions, just like legends say. (Yawns) But, I'm pooped. I need to go to bed.

(Heads upstairs. Eduardo watches her slink upstairs, sleepily. He sighs, almost in depression.)

Eddie: (to himself) She's beautiful. She just doesn't realize it. I wish I could gather up my courage and take her on a date, but I'm too shy. Besides, I do dream about her, like she thought. What I said about my dream about her was cruel. She's a tough girl. Maybe she shook it off.

(Egon is in his lab, analyzing something on the computer. There is an old warehouse the 'Busters have been called to time and time again. It is very full of spectral activity.)

Egon: I think we have something here. A bunch of poltergeists inhabit this vicinity. There is dark energy for them to thrive on. If we can rid this place of this so called "Dark Energy" I believe we may be rid of our ghost problems once and for all!

Janine: But, then what? We'll be out of a job if we do that…

Egon: (pauses to hug her) No, we won't be out of a job. (unexpectedly kisses her) In fact, we'll probably be hired somewhere in some scientific research facility. After all, our scientific minds just beg to be noticed.

Janine: What about Slimer?

Egon: Slimer ? (pause) I never thought about him…I think he'll be fine. He's a good spirit. He keeps us company. He'll move in with us.

(Slimer overhears the conversation and gives Egon a big kiss)

Egon: Ew.

(Janine laughs)

Scene 2, Eddie's bedroom. Eddie is fast asleep, dreaming about Kylie. He hears romantic rock n' roll ballads. He's never been this serious over a girl before, and it's driving him a little insane…

(Dream sequence)

Eddie: (hears his name being called by Kylie) What ? I'm here. I'm right here, sweetheart.

(Kylie is dressed in an elegant black evening gown, and her eyes are shaded purple. So are her lips. She looks beautiful, and Eddie finds himself in formal attire as well…Almost as if they had returned from Prom…)

Kylie: (embracing him) Good. I'm glad you're here. I've been feeling awfully lonely lately.

Eddie: (sitting down on couch, that just happened to appear) Go on, Kylie. I'm listening.

Kylie: As you know, I have been fortunate to have you for a friend in the past. (She sits down on the couch) You were kind enough to take me to the Prom. I didn't think you would.

Eddie: What gives you that idea… I love you!

Kylie: (shocked) You've never told me that before. You've just been so mean to me. So mean that I couldn't stand it.

Eddie: (to himself) Dang. (speaks) I didn't mean any of it. I was teasing you. It's what best friends do. Am I right? (gives her a soft punch in the arm) Hey! I'm right, right?

Kylie: Why didn't you tell me before? (she has a look that could melt any cold man's heart. She is staring Eddie in the face, sitting with him on the couch, hand on his knee)

Eddie: (truthfully) I… thought you might turn away from me, thinking that I was just a wino or something.

Kylie: (laughs) No. In fact I think it's sweet. (she pats his leg. Eddie feels his senses go numb.)

Eddie: (to himself) Oh, boy…Everything's going numb, I must be dying. I feel like I'm in heaven… Hey, I like being in heaven. (laughs)

Kylie: (looks at him intently) I've had a wonderful night, my dear. We should do this more often, you know?

Eddie: (smiles dreamily) Yeah. (takes a hold of her hand and caresses it. She kisses him. She gets up to leave.)

Kylie: I love you, Bubble Gum. Don't forget that.

Eddie: (screwing up his face) Bubble Gum?!

Kylie: (giggles)

(She walks away disappearing. Everything begins to disappear. Eddie wakes up to the sound of heavy metal on his alarm clock.)

Eddie: (hitting snooze button really hard, turning over) No…I don't wanna get up ! (alarm goes off again…) Ok, ok…I'm up! I'm UP!

Scene 3. Everyone is gathered in the kitchen for a nice healthy breakfast fixed by Janine and Egon (who helped). Slimer will eat almost anything, he doesn't really mind what they feed him. Garrett and Roland are talking about Letterman and his fear of snakes.

Roland: Did you see the look on Letterman's face?

(Garrett laughs)

Garrett: Wouldn't you be afraid if someone held a poisonous snake to your face and said, "Here… Touch him. He likes his back rubbed."? No. Nah-uh. There would be NO WAY I'd touch a poisonous snake.

Roland: Good point. But, it was still funny.

(They laugh)

Kylie: Breakfast is delicious again, as usual.

Janine / Egon: Thank you.

Kylie: Don't mention it. You two help us so much. I don't know what we'd do without you.

(Egon becomes forlorn.)

Kylie: What's wrong?

Eddie: Yeah, what's up, Egon?

Egon: Well…I didn't want to tell you about Janine and my discovery last night about that old warehouse we discovered all of those spirits inhabiting. (lowers head)

Garrett: (a little angered) Don't tell me there are more there!

Janine: I'm afraid Garrett, you're correct about that.

(All of the 'Busters groan. Slimer whines.)

Roland: Don't worry, Slimer…I'm sure we'll all come back safely. We've had a few close calls in the past, but we've survived them all.

Slimer: (happily babbling)

Kylie: He's obviously pleased with that.

(They laugh)

Egon: I haven't told you everything yet. This is serious business!

(Everyone is quiet.)

Egon: I and Janine have located the "Dark Energy" that the poltergeists are thriving off of. I know how to get rid of it. (pause, adjusting glasses) The solution is Holy Water. Since Janine has been kind enough to supply every one of you with enough Holy Water, I am sure you will all be fine. I will be praying for you all.

Janine: God will be with you.

Garrett: (gulps) You make it sound like we're never coming back.

Janine: We will come back, but after the Dark Energy is destroyed… No more Ghostbusters.

(They are all shocked. Slimer cries.)

Egon: What are you crying about? You're moving in with us? You'll like my new lab… Won't you?

Slimer: (agreeing with babble)

Egon: Good.

Kylie: (tears in eyes) But, you're like a father to me! (hugs Egon)

Garrett / Roland: Huh ?!

Egon: Oh, my. (hugs her back, nervously)

Eddie: You've been like a father to all of us.

Garrett: Yeah. I guess you're right.

Eddie: You guess?! After all Janine and Egon have done for us?!

Roland: (brightly) He's right.

(Kylie is weeping, her head buried in Egon's chest. He caresses her hair.)

Egon: (eyes tearing) I don't know what to say…I'll still be teaching at the University. You'll all be going there at some time. (pause) After Dark Energy is destroyed, we'll still see each other… It's not… (cries) Goodbye.

(Kylie looks up at Egon and dries his tears.)

Kylie: No time for tears. We live our lives day by day. We'll take this one step at a time.

Garrett: You're right, Kylie. Let's go.

(All of them, except for Slimer, Janine and Egon head to the Ectomobile. Slimer whines a little bit.)

Janine: They'll be alright, Slimer. We'll pray for them.

(Egon and Janine pray for the Ghostbusters.)

Scene 4, the Ghostbusters are fighting against Dark Energy with Holy Water. It seems to be working. Poltergeists are everywhere ! Unexpectedly, one poltergeist grabs Kylie's leg and tears at it.

Kylie: (shaking leg, not being able to move very far) Get off!

Eddie: (douses Holy Water on poltergeist. It dies with a loud screech) Out demon! Be purified!

Kylie: (looks at leg) So much for my clothes.

Eddie: At least you could've said, "thank you".

Kylie: (flutters eyelashes) Thank you. (titters)

Garrett: (with cross) Out damned creature!

Roland: (with Holy Sash) Man, I never thought this would work…But this is so COOL!

Garrett: Soon, these beasts will return to their home in the fiery dungeon from whence they came.

Roland: (impressed) How poetic!

(They continue fighting. Meanwhile at "Base", Egon unexpectedly proposes to his beloved.)

Egon: (down on one knee) Janine, I've known you for many years. I am an honest man, and a determined man at that. I have wasted too much time tinkering with scientific research to realize what I have been missing. All this time, I have pulled my thoughts together, and I knew I needed you.

Janine: (shocked) How romantic!

Egon: (clasping her hand) Janine, will you give me the pleasure of asking for your hand in Holy Matrimony ? (fishes for diamond ring in pocket) I have kept this ring for some time, and I have been meaning to give it to you…I love you. I've always loved you, and I'll love you as long as I live and breathe !

Janine: (excitedly) Yes! I will!

Egon: (Gets up) Huzzah!

(He embraces her and places the ring on her finger.)

Egon: We'd better start making arrangements.

Janine: (kisses him) Alright. We'll sit down and start planning now, you and I.

Egon: Splendid! (they head out of the lab and sit down and plan. Slimer follows them, hands clasped, looking all lovey-dovey.)

Scene 5. The Ghostbusters flee the imploding warehouse (my favorite scene from the movie Poltergeist was that exact scene) and make it back to The Firehouse. They are quite surprised at the news Janine has.

Janine: Egon proposed to me!

(The guys mouths are agape.)

Kylie: Wonderful! (pauses) So, may I assume you're writing your plans in that white book?

Egon: Precisely.

Kylie: We'll leave you alone while you plan. (notices Slimer is still there, watching) That means you too Slimer.

Slimer: (whines)

Scene 6. All the others just want to take it easy because of such an exhausting battle against the forces of evil. Eduardo has other thoughts in mind. As Kylie heads towards her room, he follows her, and stops her before she enters.

Kylie: What is it? Eddie, I'm really tired!

Eddie: If it's not too late, Kylie, would you like to go out on a date with me?

Kylie: (amazed) You're pulling my leg, aren't you?

Eddie: Nah. Me, I wouldn't do that… Not around a pretty girl like you. Now, if you say no, you're passing up a prime opportunity for great New York pizza. What do you say?

Kylie: Sure, I would… (looking at her clothes) But… Looking like this ? Ed, I have to change my clothes. It won't take me that long. (quietly shuts door)

Eddie: YEE-HAW ! (jumps up in the air, triumphantly)

(Eddie waits for a few minutes, and Kylie is wearing camouflage pants, boots, a black tank top and red lipstick. She looks gorgeous, and Eddie himself cannot deny that fact at the moment.)

Eddie: You look… stunning, Kylie!

Kylie: (Flattered) Seriously?

Eddie: Yes!

(brief pause)

Kylie: So, what now ? We take Egon's Jaguar, I assume.

Eddie: He's not using it right now. He won't miss it.

Kylie: (a little worried, but doesn't show it outwardly) Uh, I hope you're right.

Scene 7. Eddie drives the maroon Jag to the pizza place. Kylie finds a nice table and they sit down. They order a pizza. In the background, we hear "Un Homme Et Femme"—in other words "A Man and a Woman" from the Drew Carry show. Kylie laughs and Eduardo laughs. He begins to ponder something, caressing his goatee.

Kylie: (noticing that Eduardo is thinking about something) What are you thinking of?

Eddie: The future. (pauses) Do you ever pause to think about our future?

Kylie: What do you mean?

Eddie: (clears throat, nervously) Well, what I'm trying to say is, Girl…You and I, were meant to be. How is it that we manage to drive each other crazy and still like each other in the end? Love. It's love, Kylie. I know it is! It has to be!

Kylie: Eddie…Listen, hon. Now, I love you too, but we have to think about our careers. (takes his hand) We'll always be together. We've just got to take whatever life gives us.

Eddie: (blushes a little) You're very intelligent, Kylie. You always know what to say to make me feel good. You're a marvelous friend…You're my gal!

Kylie: (kissing him)

Eddie: (baffled)

Kylie: People are staring at us…Uh, keep eating.

Eddie: (laughs nervously) Nothing to see here, folks. Just two friends enjoying a nice Saturday outing, yeah. Ha, ha, ha!

They continue eating and finally head back to the firehouse. Eddie has some sauce left around his lips, but doesn't notice until Kylie starts giggling. She then tells him to wipe off his mouth and he simply licks the sauce off his mouth…"Good stuff.", he says. "True. I just love NY pizza.", Kylie admits, smiling, her eyes shut for a while, she blinks. 2 years pass and Egon and Janine have their marriage.

Scene 8. The Wedding, Holy Roman Catholic Church.

(All of the Ghostbusters are formally dressed. Slimer is even there in a tux {how amusing} and weeping joyfully.)

Kylie: (in formal dress, a blue dress, and blue eye-shade. Black lipstick as usual.) They are finally getting married. It's beautiful, isn't it?

Eddie: (pretends to gag himself and rolls his eyes) Stop it before I hurl all over the pew.

Kylie: (crossing arms) Hmmph.

Garrett: Egon looks nervous, don't you think?

Roland: Yeah. But, he seems to be keeping calm and cool. I still don't know how he stays so calm under pressure.

(The Bridal March plays. Janine enters wearing a gorgeous white gown, with white pearls, white shoes, and white laurel in her red hair. She blushes, seeing her future husband give her a playful wink.)

Janine: (locking arms with Egon) It's stifling hot in this dress, Egon…

Egon: (whispering back to her) I know, I know, dear…Don't worry, this will all be over soon, and you and I will be together with no one else to bother us.

Janine: (cocked eyebrow) What about Slimer?

Egon: I made a bet with him that the Knicks would lose. If they didn't lose, then he would move in with us tonight… Fortunately, my predictions were correct and he's staying with Garrett and Roland in their dorm room. (pause) It's a good thing that the firehouse is still functional. I mean, after all… It's being used for firefighting now instead of ghostbusting.

Janine: I miss ghostbusting. But, at least we didn't get rid of all the old equipment and such… It's in our new house.

Egon: (hugging her) And, our new lab will be perfect for research!

Janine: (to herself) We'll live happily ever after, just like I knew we would. (smiles, head on Egon's chest, she sighs)

The wedding takes an hour and finally, Egon and Janine kiss tenderly. It's a tear-jerking moment. Soon, Egon whisks Janine away to his new house in the maroon Jag into a sunset, somewhat like a romantic western, but in this case…Romance is in the air, no matter what the setting. 9 months pass. Janine gives birth to a baby girl named Noel. She has her father's hair and nose, and her mother's green eyes. She is cute as a button and the light of Janine and Egon's life.

Scene 9: Baby's Cradle. Egon and Janine's house…

Egon: (lying little Noel in her crib) She's sleeping like a little angel.

Janine: She looks just like her father. (hugs Egon's arm)

Egon: Do you remember the baby shower we had a few months back ? Eduardo was so freaked out, that I thought he would pass out!

(They both laugh, not too loudly, since they don't want to wake the baby.)

Janine: Poor Eduardo. When will he ever learn?

Slimer: (babbling noisily)

(Janine and Egon look at Slimer with their hands on their hips.)

Both: Shhh!

Silmer: (apologetically babbling)

Egon: That's alright…Just remember to be quiet when around little Noel. You wouldn't want to frighten her.

Slimer: (a little babble)

Janine: He knows. He says he'll be a good watch-ghost.

(They both laugh, a little bit)

Egon: I'd be honored.

Janine: We'd both be honored by your willingness to protect our daughter.

Slimer: (salutes, watches over cradle, floating back and forth)

(They laugh again, softly)

Scene 10…In the Dorm. Eddie is in his own dorm room, studying for another quiz. He decides to call up Kylie and tease her for a little bit…What a guy, eh?

Eddie: (over phone) Yo! Kylie! Are you there! I know you're there…Pick up the phone.

Kylie: (picking up phone) If this is about yesterday's Jerry Springer, you already know I can't stand that show…It's so low brow!

Eddie: Darn it! You read my mind again! I can't even tease you over the phone anymore! I'm not a mind reader, you know?

Kylie: (giggles) You're so cute when you're angry.

Eddie: (rolls eyes) Kylie. Quit it. (pause) Did you study for that BIG exam?

Kylie: You kidding? Been studying all night. Why aren't you studying?

Eddie: I wanted to get a good laugh.

Kylie: In your dreams, Eduardo. Some other time, maybe. (laughs)

Eddie: (growls) You're perceptive, you know that?

Kylie: I know you well, Eddie. A little too well sometimes.

Eddie: (blushes, pauses for a brief moment) Let's just get back to studying. That's more important at the moment.

Kylie: True. Oh, so true.

Eddie: See ya later, girly!

Kylie: See ya, sweetie ! (hangs up phone)

Eddie: (lovesick) She called me "Sweetie"…How nice. (shakes head, slaps himself in the face a few times) Gross. (goes back to studying English)

Narrator: Life goes on for average college students during Spring Finals. It has become rather quiet in the realm of the unknown in New York, but that doesn't mean that somewhere evil is lurking. Someday, if there are spirits, the Ghostbusters will be back in action. Even spirits can take a hiatus. When they return, you can bet that the Ghostbusters will be back in action, doing what they do best…Busting Ghosts ! As for Egon and Janine, they are living a happy existence as a married couple, and as parents as well. Slimer, is the guard of this little miracle of creation named Noel, and he does a great job watching over her. Janine never has to worry about babysitters while she is busy at work. Egon will always remain a father to the others and, Janine is like a mother to them as well. Egon is also a teacher to them for their science class. Both of them keep in touch with their friends, remembering the birthdays of their friends, and spending Christmas together, just like one big family. They will always remain a family no matter where they are or what they do. Deep inside, they're all Ghostbusters. That will never change.

THE END

By: Elizabeth Berndt
July 19, 1999