The Ghost and the McGee Twins

Monumental Disaster

So, the mayor was about to unveil a new statue for the so-called, "Hero of Brighton". Apparently he even had his own theme music. "My fellow Brightonians, unveiling this statue is my proudest moment as your mayor!" He announced. "Feast your eyes on Ezekiel Tugbottom." The statue revealed a man, who I assumed was Ezekiel, lassoing a tornado. The cloth came down on the mayor, but everyone still cheered. "Woo!" Molly shouted. "We love you, Ezekiel!" "Whoa! What's the big deal?" Scratch asked. "I mean, why do we care about this guy?" "I don't believe this for a second." I explained. "Catching a tornado with a lasso seems like a load of hogwash." "Wha..." Molly scoffed. "Every Brightonian knows the story of Ezekiel Tugbottom. Hero of Brighton! He saved the town from the biggest tornado ever seen! Plus, he was best friends with a grizzly bear!" "Yet another reason why I believe this is fake." I said. "If you both stayed awake while we were in history class, you'd know it, too." Molly finished. "And miss my 1:00 pm nap? I'd rather die..." Scratch said. "...again." "Ugh! But history is so boring!" I groaned. "Now, everyone, if you move over to the park, the post-unveiling potluck will begin shortly." The mayor announced. "Except you, Todd! No, cups don't count as a contribution! They didn't count at my 8th birthday party, and they're not gonna count now!" This Todd guy frowned, dragging his plastic cups on the ground. "Oh, finally!" Scratch exclaimed. "Potluck time, baby!"

Walking over to the park, Molly looked up at the statue. "I wonder what the great Ezekiel Tugbottom would say if he could see this now?" Molly wondered. "Well, the nose isn't quite right, but overall, not bad." We heard someone say. "Really captured my rugged indomitable spirit." We turned to see a bright green ghost, similar in color to Geoff and gloated in front of the statue. He looked exactly like... Shut up! It couldn't be! "Ezekiel Tugbottom?" Molly asked. "In the ectoplasm." He replied. "Honorary city council member, three-time winner of the Farm Times's Golden Husk Award, and..." "Brighton's burliest man 1871 through '76!" Molly chimed in. "Well, someone's fangirling over a dead guy right now." I commented. "Okay, okay. Molly, play it cool." Molly told herself. "Play it cool, you got this. Don't go full fangirl." "Too late for that, sis." I mumbled. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe I'm standing next to the Ezekiel Tugbottom!" Molly exclaimed. "Is this real?! Oh, no, I'm talking about him in the third person, and he's right here, how do I stop? I'm still talking." "Shut up!" I shouted. "Please, Miss McGee." Ezekiel said. "Friends call me Tug." "Nickname status." Molly gasped. "Well, potluck was a bust." Scratch said, coming back with a huge sandwich of everything, including turnips of course. "They ran out of food!" "Scratch, look!" Molly exclaimed. "It's Ezekiel Tugbottom!" "One guy brought cups." Scratch added, spitting out his food once he saw Ezekiel. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" Scratch shouted. "This is the guy everyone's all excited about?" "I'm wondering the same thing." I added. "Indeed! And thank you for coming to the big unveiling! Uh, Stretch, was it? Always nice to see a fan. Oh, here you go!" Ezekiel replied, giving a book to Scratch after signing it. "Bottom's Up: Memoir of a Hero. A Tugbottom Press exclusive. Thanks for the support, Stitch." "This can't be the right guy!" Scratch exclaimed. "I know him. In the Ghost World, we call him Tug the Tornado..." "'Cause he fought a tornado?" Molly asked. "No! 'Cause he's a blowhard!" Scratch snapped. "He's always bragging, he's always acting like he's better than everybody else!" "I can see that." I said. "Guys, he is better than everyone." Molly commented. "He's a hero." "Who somehow broke the laws of science to lasso a tornado?" I questioned. "Okay, fine, don't believe us. Have a great time." Scratch said. "I'm just gonna sit back, see how long your little love fest lasts before you hit the wall." "I'm sorry about them." Molly apologized. "Mr Tugbottom... I mean, Tug, I'd love to give you a tour of the town you so generously saved!" "Nothing would make me happier!" Ezekiel exclaimed.

Molly, Scratch, and I took Ezekiel into town, where it looked more trashed than usual. "Golly! Brighton sure has lost its way since I departed." Ezekiel commented. "Well, yeah, we may have hit some tough times." Molly explained as a plastic grocery bag flew into my face. I swear, the world is out to get me. "But we've beat tough times before! Like you beat that tornado! With your fists!" "Exactly, Molly!" Ezekiel agreed. "I think what this town needs is a little more me!" "He's gloating again." I mumbled to Scratch. "Okay, that's one idea." Molly said.