BEYOND THE MICROSCOPE (2)
Egon didn't mean to sound abrupt or anything like that, but his voice came out of him like that when he approached her.
"That's my collection of mushrooms and spores," he said, making her look at him with wide eyes.
Spengler didn't know what to do at that moment, basically because she was looking him straight in the eyes, so he decided to reach out his hand to break the strange silence that had settled between them.
"I'm Egon Spengler," he introduced himself, she shook his hand.
"I know who you are," he replied. "Actually, I know who you all are," she laughed shyly. "You're on TV, the Ghostbusters."
"Yes, that's us," he said, smiling slightly. "Peter said you're the new secretary."
"That's right," he confirmed. "I'll be in charge of organizing your papers and answering calls."
"Do you know what our job is?" he asked, she frowned.
"What do you mean?" You hunt ghosts, right? Hence your name
-We do much more than that –he explained, sitting down on his desk chair- we are parapsychologists, we believe in precognition, clairvoyance, telepathy, extrasensory perception, psychokinesis or telekinesis, out-of-body experiences and above all apparitions and ghosts –he explained- Do you believe in all these things? –he asked, looking at her attentively-
-Of course you do, since I also have a degree in parapsychology –he said, leaving her completely stunned-
-Sorry, I didn't know that… –he began, but she stopped him with a gesture of her hand-
-It's okay, it happens to me often –he confessed- it's not very common for someone like me to study psychology and even less so that branch
-What do you mean by “someone like you”? –Egon wanted to know-
-My brain works differently than others –he answered, focusing for a moment on one of the papers on the table so as not to look him in the eyes-
-You are neurodivergent –he understood, the girl nodded- that is certainly interesting- she said- Would you let me do a CT scan on you? –he asked visibly excited-
-Sure, as long as you let me do another one on you –she answered without any intention of making it seem like she was flirting with him, because she wasn't-
-Good idea, so we can compare our brains –she said getting up from her seat quickly without realizing it- don't move, I'll get the electrodes-
-I'm not going anywhere –he assured, staying where he was-
A few seconds later Irene had a helmet on her head with huge electrodes attached to it. Egon looked away from the sheet where the neural impulses were being marked on her again.
-Are you okay? - he asked once, she nodded-
-It's just that the electricity tickles me- she said, Spengler came over to take off her helmet, and sat down in the place she had occupied before-
Irene placed the helmet on Egon's head, being careful not to crush the arms of his glasses.
The Doctor watched her sit in front of the measurement sheet, observing the movement of his neural connections.
When they had finished they sat at his desk and compared the results. In the meantime, Ray and Peter returned from their errands and found them elbow to elbow.
An amused little smile appeared on Peter's lips.
-Working late, Doctor Spengler? - he asked, hanging his coat on the coat rack in the entrance-
-What are you doing? –Ray asked, approaching where they were-
-We've done an MRI of our brains –he said, pointing at some waves with his pencil on the paper- look at this, their neural impulses and mine are very similar, I've never seen anything like it-
-Maybe it's because it's upside down –Ray added, turning the sheet so that it was in the correct position-
-Thanks –Egon murmured, he nodded-
-You're welcome –he looked at the girl next to him and greeted her with a friendly smile- I'm Ray Stantz-
-Irene Harris –he introduced himself, returning the gesture-
-She's also a doctor in parapsychology. Isn't that fantastic? –Spengler said, looking at his friend-
-It is – said Ray, as Peter approached them.
-I was going to tell you before, but I knew you would end up finding out for yourself – Venkman smiled as he headed for the stairs – I'm going to sleep, I'm exhausted.
-Have you had dinner? – asked Egon, who nodded slightly.
-I ate at Dana's house – he said, very pleased with himself – I think she'll call me tomorrow so we can see each other again – he whispered before adding – I have her in the jar.
He disappeared from sight as quickly as he had arrived, leaving the three of them alone. Ray cleared his throat uncomfortably at the silence in the room before speaking.
-I suppose you haven't had dinner – he began by opening the kitchen fridge – I'll try to prepare something with what we have here – he took out several ingredients for the counter – you have to go shopping, Egon.
-Why me? -he complained-
-Because this week it's your turn to go -he pointed to a squared sheet taped to the fridge- it says it on the calendar
-It's true -he admitted- I'll go as soon as possible,if there isn't an emergency
-I don't think there is –said Ray, looking at the contents of the pan he had on the fire- things have been quieter lately
Suddenly the siren started to sound and Egon glanced at Stantz.
-You were saying?
-I don't know why I say anything –he murmured, quickly removing the pan-I'll go wake Peter
The named one was walking down the stairs at that moment at a quick pace, still in his pajamas.
-I heard you –he said- give me a minute and I'll be ready
-We all have to get ready, calm down Venkman –said Ray, who looked at Irene before fixing his gaze on Egon- Are you in charge of…?
Spengler followed the direction of his gaze, colliding with the clear eyes of the secretary.
-Yes, I'll catch up with you –he said, Stantz nodded and disappeared up the stairs with Peter-
Egon watched her for a moment before speaking.
-The siren you heard warns us when someone is in trouble and needs our help -he began- they are usually not too serious things, although sometimes it is some joker who wanted to get our attention to laugh at us- he tilted his head knowing that he was going on too much- what I mean is that you have to stay here. We will take care of this quickly and we will be back before you know it
-Be careful -Irene answered- paranormal entities can sometimes cause havoc on anyone who comes into direct contact with them
-That's right but don't worry, we are well equipped -she said- we won't be long, the keys to the door are in the bowl next to the door, just in case- she added, nodding her head-
-Okay
Egon ran upstairs to join the others, and after putting on their suits and putting their proton blasters on their backs, they got into Ecto 1 and drove to the area where the incident had occurred.
In the end it wasn't that bad, just a couple of poltergeists and a level two ghost that they caught easily and with (almost) no damage to public order material.
When they returned to the building and left the equipment in its corresponding place, Egon went to tell her that they had already arrived, and that everything had gone well. He didn't know why, but he felt the need to do so.
He found her asleep on the MRIs they had done before. Not knowing what to do with her, he went to look for Peter.
"She's asleep," he said while Venkman put his pajamas back on to go to sleep.
"Okay, let her sleep. She's tired, it's normal," he murmured, flattening his pillow with his hand.
"We can't leave her there," Spengler pressed, his friend looked at him with interest.
"Not long ago you wanted her to leave. And now you're worried about where she's going to sleep?" –he smiled- admit it, you like her
-No
-Yes
-No
-Yes
-Tomorrow she'll wake up with a stiff neck –Egon muttered- and I won't be the one to make her a linden tea to soothe her aching muscles
-You keep telling yourself that, buddy –Peter yawned, turning off the light of his night lamp-
Spengler left the room and went into his own to get one of his blankets. Then he went to where Irene was and placed it on her shoulders, being careful not to wake her.
She moved a little but didn't open her eyes, a sign that she was fast asleep.
Egon went back to his room and after taking off his clothes and putting on his pajamas he got into bed.
“Tomorrow will be another day” he said to himself before falling asleep
