|
"May All Your Christmases Be Fright"
Note: This is a sequel to "In Your Dreams, Eduardo!". As you may recall, Egon kept everything he could, even the Ecto-1 (or as some call it, the Ectomobile, ha, ha.). It is one of the cars in his garage. He never drives it. It just sits there, collecting dust. It seems too good to be true that the Ghostbusters may no longer be needed…Or is that really so? "The single most precious gift of Christmas, is Jesus Christ. That's what Christmas is all about."—my thoughts about Christmas CAST: Kylie Griffin Scene 1. The University. Eduardo is almost falling asleep in Dr. Spengler's class. Egon isn't very pleased about this… Egon: Class, take heed. (pauses; walking across the room, hands behind back) You know and I know that Christmas will soon be here. (stops walking and stands in front of desk) That doesn't mean you can slack off. (Eduardo yawns) Egon: Especially you, Rivera. Eddie: (head falls to his desk with a thud) Dang. (Eddie looks into his books. All he can think about is what to get for Kylie. "She already has all the Nine Inch Nails CDs, so I can't give her a CD…", he thinks. The minute Egon gives him a knowing look, he blushes, gulps and skims the book. Soon, he returns to his dorm. Eddie's friend Juan is studying at his desk. He has dark hair, and brown eyes. He has maroon spectacles. He is wearing an Abercrombie & Fitch sweatshirt and heavy sweatpants. Also wearing white Nike shoes. Juan is very organized, unlike Eddie) Scene 2…The Dorm. Eddie's room. Juan: Hey, Eddie! Did Spengler give you trouble again? (laughs a little) Eddie: Yep. Once again, you're right. (pause) Are you studying for your finals? Juan: (pushes glasses up) Of course! If I don't, I'll fail. I've got to keep up with my studies, you know? My whole future is education. I plan to be a doctor one day, so I have to study hard. (He continues reading medical studies book, intently) Eddie: (in a devil-may-care way) You go ahead. (yawns, stretching) As for me, I'm gonna take it easy. (throws himself on his bed, and goes to sleep, snoring) Juan: (quietly, to himself) Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. (Tsks) No wonder you don't do well on the exams. (Sighs) Scene 3…Much later in the week, Eddie passes the exam, much to everyone's amazement (even Egon's). Juan and Eddie are out Christmas shopping. It seems that Eddie has figured out what to get Kylie, and that would be a new book for her Anne Rice collection. As for Juan, he's getting his girlfriend, Rita, a nice pendant. Eddie: I bought "Interview With the Vampire" for Kylie. She doesn't have that one in her collection yet. Juan: Marvelous…As for me, I have a 14 karat gold pendant for my sweetheart, Rita. I know she's going to love it. I have to be going. (hurriedly) I have to stay with my parents this Christmas since I promised them I would. Eddie: Have a great Christmas! See you soon, Juan. Take care, man! Juan: Later! (runs off to hail a taxi) Eddie: (thinking to himself) This book isn't enough. I've never bought anything really nice for Kylie. I can get her an ankh! That will be perfect! (goes into the jewelry store, and walks out with an ackh in the same bag as the book. He laughs almost devilishly. He seems to be humming "Higher and Higher") Scene 4. Egon's house. Egon, Janine, and Slimer are decorating. Slimer hangs the mistletoe and Noel is standing underneath it. He gives Noel a slimy kiss on the cheek. She smiles. Her blond hair is in a ponytail and she is dressed in a blue dress. She does look a lot like her father, but yet has her mother's eyes. Egon mentions inviting "the family" down for Christmas Eve and Christmas Morn) Egon: I think it would be a magnificent idea to invite our old friends over for Christmas. Noel: So, I finally get to see your friends you've been told me about. (pauses) I wonder what it was like to be a Ghostbuster, father. You and mother talk of it so much, and it sounds like such fun… Janine: (eyes watering) Yes, dear. It was fun. Unfortunately our ghostbusting days are over. Egon: (happily) But not forgotten! Hey, cheer up! Christmas time is almost here! Noel: Father's right, mother. (she laughs) Janine: (smiles, drying her eyes) Egon: You see? You look much prettier with a smile on your face! Janine: (blushes) Egon: I'll call them. Noel, you help your mother with the preparations. And, Slimer… Slimer: (candy cane in mouth; innocently, hands behind back) Egon: Stop eating all my blueberry candy canes! Slimer: (whines, wipes blueberry goo off sticky lips and babbles "OK") Janine: (snickers) Egon calls everyone to join him at his house for Christmas Eve. All gifts are placed underneath the tree. Soon, they all gather for carols and a grand dinner. Noel is very curious about the Ghostbusters…This upsets Janine and she has to leave the table because that job was her life's blood. They all seem pretty upset about it, but they tell Noel all they know. Noel admits to the fact that she would like to "bust ghosts" too. Scene 5. The dinner table. Eddie: So then, BOOM! Garrett: (to Roland, whispering) He's so dramatic. Roland: (laughs) Eddie: What's so funny? I'm trying to tell a story here! (pauses, clearing throat) We caught a bunch of ghosts… It was so cool, man! Noel: Fascinating. Simply fascinating. Kylie: She does take after her father. (All but Noel have a good laugh; Noel just laughs along, not knowing why) Noel: I'd like to be a Ghostbuster. Roland: No chance, Noel. New York (sighs heavily) simply doesn't need our assistance any longer. Garrett: It's the sad, but true facts of life. There are no more ghosts to bust. Kylie: We fought the good fight, we finished the race. Eddie: I believe your father's already told you about that final battle. Noel: Many times. However, I still like hearing it. It amazes and astounds me. I'd like to think that maybe somewhere out there (pauses) there are still supernatural beings. (pauses; all have sad looks) Think positively. I'm sure things will look up… Kylie: You have a stupendous sense of optimism, Noel… But, I just don't think that after the long, rough battle we fought against those poltergeists… They'd be stupid to return for vengeance. Egon: Excellent point. The rest of them: (Except for Noel, who crosses her arms) Well spoken. Noel: (sighs, hangs head low) May I be excused? Egon: Yes you may. (she leaves to go to her mothers room while the others chat) Scene 6. Janine's room. Slimer is with them, moping somewhat because he didn't have a chance to eat any food. Noel: Mother, why are you so forlorn? Janine: (drying eyes) It's about ghostbusting again. I know this may sound silly, but I feel like my life is so meaningless without ghostbusting. Noel: From the way your friends talked about it, I can understand the way you feel. There's just nothing like it… A very hard feeling to explain. You feel as if you were helping people, and out of the good nature of your heart. Now you feel as if you can't do this anymore… Janine: (hugging her) Talking to you is worthwhile. You're very therapeutic, you know that? Noel: Really? (smiles. Janine kisses her on the cheek) Thanks! Janine: You're the best thing that's happened to me, besides your father and my marriage. I don't know what would make me happier… (The phone rings. Janine picks it up. She hears the voice of a frightened man and his family being terrorized… By poltergeists! There are not many… But it is a breath of fresh air to Janine to hear someone say "We need your help. We heard you specialize in spirit removal.") Noel: What does this mean? Janine: It means, you get to go with them… But only to watch. Noel: Alright! Scene 7. Sitting around the Christmas tree, enjoying hot cocoa, everyone seems to be just peachy. However, when they hear the news… Nothing could be better! All (except Egon who just smiles): YES! Kylie: Back to doing what we do best… All: Bustin' Ghosts! Scene 8. Haunted house. The Ghostbusters are suited up, and ready to kick some behind! The poltergeists don't take too lightly to being disturbed… Especially when all they want to do is make someone else's earthly life miserable. Eddie: Okay, guys… Now, on three. Noel: (Stands back with Egon; watching in awe) Eduardo, Kylie, Garrett and Roland (in unison): THREE! (They all shoot. Kylie throws out a proton ghost-trapper. The ghosts are sucked up into it. The family is very thankful for the Ghostbuster's help.) Man: Thank you very much. Woman: Now we can sleep easier tonight. Little Boy: When I grow up… I wanna bust ghosts too. Garrett: Maybe you will, little fella. Maybe you will. (They walk out, and into the Ecto-1. All Garrett can talk about is how much that boy reminded him of himself when he was younger. Noel really wants to bust ghosts now!) Noel: This is incredibly cool! (pauses, trying to move a little in the cramped space of the Ecto-1, she asks her father a very important question ) Can I be a Ghostbuster when I am old enough? Egon: (smiles sweetly) Oh, I suppose. Kylie: Don't worry, Noel. When you become about…say, 13 years old, I think you'll be prime material for a Ghostbuster. Garrett: Patience is a virtue, Noel. Noel: (smiling) Yes. You're all correct. Eddie: (complaining) Come on…Can't you go any faster? It's really cramped in here! We should've taken BOTH cars…I would be so much happier in the Mustang! Egon: I know…It's another traffic jam. It's not that bad, really. We're almost there, just grin and bear it, Eduardo. Eddie: (rolls eyes) Scene 9. All of the Ghostbusters arrive at Egon's house yet again. It is very late at night and they are all exhausted. Garrett heads to his room, Noel to hers, Roland to his, Egon to his, but Kylie purposely walks underneath the mistletoe. Eddie stops her. "Don't move!", he says. Kylie: (looks up, and then looks at Eddie. He wiggles his eyebrows. She speaks in a sarcastic tone of voice…) Oh, perfect. Juuuust peachy. Eddie: Just one little kiss. That's all I ask. No more, no less. Eh, sweetheart? Kylie: (playfully) I hope I don't gag myself. Eddie: (tenderly kisses her and leaves her speechless for a few seconds) It's true…A woman's kisses are sweeter than wine! Kylie: (laughs) Eduardo, that wasn't a bad kiss… (she kisses him on the cheek) I love you. Don't forget that. (pauses) Oh, yeah… I was just playing with you earlier, being sarcastic and all. Heh, heh. (she places her hands behind her back, lowering her head, being a little bashful) Eddie: I knew you were. (pause) But, thanks for telling me anyway. (Kylie turns to walk to bed.) Kylie: (in a sweet tone) Goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest… Eddie: (drunkenly) Ooh, I like the sound of that. If only she would talk to me sweetly all the time, then we wouldn't drive each other crazy… Then again, what kind of relationship would that be? (laughs, and walks upstairs) Scene 10. Christmas Morn in Egon's house. Noel is the first to be seated at the Christmas tree, Garrett coming in second, Roland third, Janine forth, and Eddie being the *very* last to wake up, since he's a late sleeper. Eddie: (coming downstairs at long last. He is wiping the sleep from his eyes. Once he sees all the presents he is about to receive his eyes grow wide.) PRESENTS! (Violently rips all presents open and even tries out a new leather jacket he got… from Kylie) Eddie: Groovy. (pause) How did you know I wanted a leather jacket? Kylie: (winking) Oh, I ask around. (Garrett, and Roland have huge smiles on their faces) Eddie: (laughs) (Everyone is happy with their presents, and Kylie is happy about her ankh and book from Eduardo) Kylie: Cool ! I've been looking all over for "Interview". How did you get it? Eddie: I checked out a used book place. You should go there sometime. The books are really inexpensive and they aren't too badly used. Kylie: I can tell, this book looks practically new. (she smiles) Thank you! Eddie: (feeling rather confident) You're (low tone) welcome. (nervous laugh when the others notice the low tone of voice) (There is a knock heard at the door. It's Juan) Juan: Ed! Eddie: Juan, what are you doing here? Juan: I bought you a present. Eddie: You didn't have to do that. Juan: I'm doing it out of the kindness of my heart, besides I know you'll love it. Eddie: (opens package) "Driver" for Playstation! (pause) This is too much. How did you get enough money to get this? Juan: Rita helped me out a little bit. (Rita waves from the car) Eddie: Well, tell her I said thank you. (pauses) Oh yeah…It would be rude for me not to give you anything. (Rushes to Christmas tree, and comes back with package. Juan: (examining package) Hmmm. (opens it) College dictionary. Exactly what I need. (hugs Eddie and Eddie has a strange look on his face until Juan quits) Nice seeing you. Thanks a lot. Merry Christmas, everyone! (runs back to car) Garrett: Nice guy. Friend of yours? Eddie: (sarcastically) Very funny, Garrett. (Everyone but Eddie laughs. Noel doesn't notice because she's playing with her new action figures. Slimer's gone crazy with a new fire engine he got… Suddenly/ we hear a crash.) Janine/Egon/Noel: SLIMER! (Slimer rushes out, hands behind back) Slimer: (lowered head, low moan) Egon: What did you break? Janine: I hope he didn't break my china. (They head into the kitchen, and the kitchen is in shambles) Noel: Holy protons! Janine: Slimer, why? Why?! Slimer: (says he's sorry) Egon: (calmly and firmly) Go to your room, and stay there. Kylie: If it will help… We'll clean up. Jeannine: How sweet! (They all help clean up. After cleaning up, they head home. Noel watches them leave, in awe) Noel: Good thing the Ghostbusters are back... right, father? Egon: (hugging his daughter) Indeed. Janine: It's the best Christmas present anyone could ask for. In the end, the Spengler family stands close together. The picture is frozen, looking like a painted piece of art. We hear some familiar Christmas caroles. Narrator: In the future, when nothing is certain, it is nice to know that we can count on the Ghostbusters. They will be around for as long as they can. Everyone needs someone to look up to, and it's a good thing we have such great role models. All in all, we can all rest easier knowing that they will take care of evil wherever it can be found. The End By: Elizabeth Berndt |