Ghostbusters Short Stories

The Ballroom Floor

"You're gonna dance, right?" Janine asked Egon as he stood awkwardly erect in the large, busy ballroom.
"No. I don't dance." He wouldn't concede to her request.
"So you drag me along to this formal thing just so I can stand here?" Janine was starting to get angry. "Y'know next time, don't bother asking."
"By the definition of the invite you were required to come. It's not like I insisted." Egon's face betrayed no emotion. "It was a company invitation."
Janine hated that no matter what she did she could never get anything out of him. She realized that some time ago.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Ray walked in between her and Egon.
"Hi, Janine," He said, his innocent smile making her anger dissipate. "What are you guys doing?"
"Looking for a dance partner." She said, shooting a glare at Egon over Ray's shoulder.
"I don't dance. How many times must I repeat myself?" Egon was looking more and more bored with this party, a clever deception for his true intentions.
"I'd dance with you." Ray's smile widened.
"Alright then, Elvis." Janine held her glare with Egon, and he gave her a blank stare back.
Ray held Janine's hand as they made their way down onto the ballroom floor.

~

Egon couldn't deny the fact that the moment he saw Janine walk onto the floor with Ray, jealousy started to bubble up through his thoughts.
"It's your own fault." Peter told Egon.
"My own fault for what?" Egon asked irritably.
"Come on, Spengler. Only the woman can play hard to get." Peter smiled at his comment as he surveyed the ballroom.
"Peter, what makes you believe that was my goal?"
"Jesus, Egon. How long have you and Janine been back and forth?"
Egon stayed silent, then spoke up after his thoughts had been gathered. "It was never a romantic relationship. She is my employee, and I would go as far as to assume friend."
"If you don't do something, and fast, she's gonna find someone else that cares more than you do." Peter gestured to Ray and Janine on the ballroom floor. "Look how happy she is out there, with someone else."
"I get your point, but I'm not looking for that." Egon was done explaining to Peter.
"But she is."
"Peter-"
"God dammit, Egon. Haven't you seen the way she looks at you? Even since the day we hired her, she's always favored you. And you ignore her."
"I know she favored me," Egon murmured.
"Do something then. Or you'll regret it." Peter grabbed another champagne glass off the tray and drank both. "God, that's some good stuff."

~



"You know he does actually dance." Ray said in a low voice as they fell in time to the other people dancing around them.
"He does?"
"He's very good at it. Much better than me. Egon's just shy." Ray said. "Or actually.. maybe socially awkward would be a better word for him."
Janine looked back towards the crowd and found Egon standing right where he was before, just now he was arguing with Peter.
"Why would he be shy?"
"He's like a deer in the headlights sometimes."
Janine gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I've seen that look before."
They waltzed in silence for a while before Ray leaned in close as if Egon could hear him. "He loves you, you know."
"Really?"
"He'd kill me if he heard me say this."
"He doesn't have to know."
Ray felt a scandalous grin tug at the corners of his mouth as they headed for the outside of the ballroom floor. "Janine, wouldn't that be dishonest?"
Janine still held Ray's hand as they headed for the dessert table.
Ray scooped up a handful of chocolates and stuck most of them in his mouth. "I wonder if Egon's getting worried."
"About what?"
"Because we disappeared off the dance floor together."
"Serves him right, that asshole."
"Maybe you should talk to him."



Written 4/2018