Chapter 37

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"Doctor Finch, has your time on Halloween Ghost Challenge changed your opinion about the existence of the supernatural?"

"Not one bit."

"But you heard actual ghosts during your time here."

"There is a phenomenon known as mass hallucination where a group of people in close proximity will experience the same delusion simultaneously. That's what I believed happened here."

"Tiffany, can you tell us how Halloween Ghost Challenge has changed your life?"

"Oh my God. So when we got our cell phones back after we wrapped there was a message from my agent and they want me for the next season of Big Brother !"

"Congratulations. What from your experience on this show will you take with you to your next endeavor?"

"Um, I don't know. Working nights sucks so that's going in my contract from now on. And I'll never appear on a show with a woman who can talk to ghosts again. Total scene stealer."

"You're referring to Madame Letisha."

"Hell, no. I meant Natalie."

"Derek, how have your millions of YouTube followers responded to your time on Halloween Ghost Challenge ?"

"They all thought it was totally gnarly. And I got a sponsor who wants me to do more ghost investigations and stuff. I'm thinking of asking Natalie if she wants to partner up with me."

"Do you think she'd accept your offer?"

"She probably would, except for that big scary boyfriend of hers."

"You could ask Madame Letisha to be your partner for the investigation… Derek, why are you laughing?"

"Megan, you came to the Halloween Ghost Challenge as a self-proclaimed super fan of Madame Letisha and now do I understand you're going to be working with her?"

"Yes. I'm so excited. Madame Letisha has agreed to take me on as an assistant. She's such an amazing talent."

"While on the show did you get to spend any time with Natalie Chase?"

"In my opinion, compared to Madame Letisha Natalie Chase is a complete fraud."

"Madame Letisha, now that the show has wrapped, what are your feelings about your fellow ghost whisperer, Natalie Chase?"

"Natalie? She does have a certain amount of raw talent, but she is, of course, beyond a doubt a complete amateur. In this business there is no substitute for the kind of experience I bring to the profession. I believe that was evident when I single-handedly took on the dark entity at the hotel."

"Doctor Walsh…"

"You can still call me Liam. And I still don't know why you want to talk to me. I wasn't on the show."

"Do you regret not being part of this season's cast of Halloween Ghost House ?"

"Yes, I do."

"And why is that?"

"Because you people and your show almost got my girlfriend killed, that's why."

"Um, Doctor Walsh? You're still wired. Liam! Can you please come back and leave us your microphone?"

"Natalie--"

"Hi. Is this going to take long? The ghosts need to be back in Mudville before midnight."

"What happens if they're not?"

"We don't know for sure but I'm not about to find out."

"All right. We'll be quick. Tell us, now that the show is wrapped, what one thing will you take away from the experience?"

"One thing? How can I choose just one thing? I mean, tonight's impromptu ghost wedding is up there, of course. But I'll never forget facing that dark entity for as long as I live. But oh, the ghost show—that was beyond amazing. I think if I had to choose just one thing, it would be all the wonderful new friends I met here in Utica."

"You mean Letisha and your fellow cast members?"

"Um…"

"You were speaking about the ghosts, weren't you?"

"Yeah. I was. Sorry."