(Accidental Video)

[creepyoldguy]

 [The angle is almost painful to watch and motion sickness could be a thing as the mirror is moved about in a jerky manner.

  Beetlejuice was standing near the door to the mansion, business card in hand.  Normally, he'd barge right on in, but....

These ghosts were not recently deceased, and apparently had stuck around this house for quite some time.  And he was attempting to make a good first impression, so, the demon would refrain from entering unless invited.  Ghosts who attached themselves to a house were usually finicky about who they let into said domicile.  In fact, it was rare to find one that looked as nice as this one did.  It looked like whoever was haunting the place cared a lot about it and had kept it in good repair.   Sort of like he imagined the Maitlands would have done had they been successful in haunting their home. (And not utter losers.)  

His business card had his current address scrawled on the back, but, it was at least legible.  The front had the phrase "Troubled by the living?" followed by his full name, followed by his middle name three times, and the word "Bio-Exorcist"  at the bottom.   It was actually fairly professional looking, because, the demon really did  take pride in his work.  

He knocked three times on the door and gently slid the card underneath before turning to leave.

It was about this time that Beetlejuice noticed the mirror was broadcasting.  He steadied it a bit to give the Apprentices a fangy smile.]

Oh, hey guys.

Just a looking for a little extra work to do on the side.   Gotta support the local dead population, y'know?    

Comments

[strangeandunusual]

I think it's great! At the very least you can make some new friends. ... And then introduce me.

[creepyoldguy]

Of course!

If they're hiring. They might have things under control, but, hey. Can't hurt to offer!

[Yeah, he's not fooling anyone. He's chomping at the bit to get a response of the "you're hired" variety.]

[strangeandunusual]

It makes me wonder if any other places in the Kingdoms might be haunted, too ... maybe you could leave a few at the Temple of Mara?

[creepyoldguy]

Huh. Hadn't thought of that. Might have to do just that.

I'd put an ad if they had a newspaper around here. Ghosts tend to read the papers, if nothing else.

[strangeandunusual]

Yeah, I always thought it was a little weird that for as "classic Main Street" as this place is, there's no paper. ... But any place that looks abandoned or run down might be a good start?

[creepyoldguy]

I’ll have to leave ‘em around. If nothing else maybe keep ‘em on our side.

[strangeandunusual]

I think I can say from experience it's always nice to have a ghost or two in your corner.

[creepyoldguy]

See there! You get it!

I mean, I’m not sure they’d need convincing. I don’t think anyone’s messed with their shit or anything.

[strangeandunusual]

I hope not. They were already pretty unhappy about us even being there to clear out the Corroded... I'd hate to see what they'd do to anyone who vandalized their home.

[creepyoldguy]

Yeah....the last thing anyone needs is the local ghost population being—-

[A stray thought flitted across his mind and the demon grimaced.]

....Ms. Tags-a-lot hasn’t been here has she?

[strangeandunusual]

[she gave a slow, horrified gasp before speaking in a careful whisper, afraid that either the ghosts or her roommate could hear her over the mirror]

I don't know....

[creepyoldguy]

....she's probably not that dense.

[A lie. He completely believed Mal would ruin a house belonging to ghosts. But, if it reassured Lydia, he'd try to at least fake optimism.]

[strangeandunusual]

[as much as she appreciated the intent ...]

Beej, she wanted to burn down the candy store.

[creepyoldguy]

Fair point. But, she’s not pissed at the ghosts, right?

[But, then again, she’d tagged the town...]


Eh. I guess you could ask her?

Locked to Beej

[strangeandunusual]

No, but ... she's been treating it like it's gonna be her house eventually anyway, which - not a good idea.

[she heaved a sigh and locked the conversation]

Honestly I've been kind of avoiding her since the party. She keeps trying to get me to tell her who lost their voice, and ... I'm not playing that game with her.

Re: Locked to Beej

[creepyoldguy]

Because of the snake thing? That was hilarious. Not me, for the record, it would have eaten her instead of the cake if it’d been my trick. And then I would have eaten the cake.

[Beetlejuice paused, and explained,]

I thanked her for coming and she ignored me. The snake thing cheered me up, even if it wasn’t mine.

[He figured Lydia would understand just how badly being ignored hurt him.]

It didn’t....ruin your party, right?

[strangeandunusual]

I used to really like her. But... The more she clings to this Isle Evil VK thing, the more I wish she'd ... I don't know, get a clue. Wake up. Something.

... I'm sorry she ignored you. That's awful. Especially since I can only imagine how hard it was for you to say thank you. Did you sprain something?

[from her tone and her grin, she's obviously teasing]

[creepyoldguy]

She’s a stuck-up snob.

Not your fault.

[He snorted, before throwing a dramatic arm over his eyes.]

It was awful and I’ll never do it again without stretching first.

[strangeandunusual]

Like this?

[she stretched her jaw wide, then made a pronounced duck face]

Two sets of ten, once a day. Works like a charm. Or in your case, maybe a hex.

[creepyoldguy]

I was thinking more like...

[He did a 180 with his head, managing to look like a demented owl.]

this, but, your way could work too!

[strangeandunusual]

Yeah, but that doesn't stretch your mouth, just your neck! How would that keep an apology sprain from happening?

[she said, matter of fact, as though this were Really A Thing]

Video

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Eyebrow raise. ]

We're the living though...

Re: Video

[creepyoldguy]

First off—-wow, rude.

Secondly, I’m only breathing. Which, sucks, thanks for asking. I still have no pulse, so I qualify as at least half dead. Not as great as born-dead, but, I take what I can get.

Video

[serpentinthegarden]

Naturally.

[ He nodded, quite pleased with himself. ]

What are you trying to do create a ghost uprising?

Re: Video

[creepyoldguy]

Okay, Mal.

[Smirk.]


Only if they’re feeling bothered by the living.

[serpentinthegarden]

Nothing like her.

I'm not into the idea of a bunch of ghosts deciding to invade Main Street because they have decided the living are suddenly a problem. We have enough trouble with the corrosion.

[creepyoldguy]

Suuuure.

[He knew Crowley wasn’t, but, Beetlejuice wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to be an ass to another demon.]

Uh, that’s not how Bio-Exorcism works. It’s to keep their home free from pests, not start an invasion. Seriously, don’t you spend any time around ghosts?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Whatever. He didn't pay it much mind as he usually didn't care what others thought about him. ]

Oddly no. Once they've moved on from life they are well out of my jurisdiction. Some other department handles what comes after.

So what are you trying to do give them haunting tips? From the sounds of it they have been haunting that mansion very successfully on their own for years.

[creepyoldguy]

And sometimes offer to do things they’re too squeamish to do. I tend to think outside the box when it comes to haunting.

....the dead can be fun to hang with.

[serpentinthegarden]

Do you even know what they have been doing to haunt that place? It'll be difficult to give suggestions if you don't know their current setup.

[creepyoldguy]

Meh. Minor details.

I’ll chat with them if they’re interested and go from there.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ His grin slowly widened as a wicked thought came to mind. ]

What if they can't call you? Their phone might be dead.

[creepyoldguy]

Low hanging fruit, fella.

[He would have gone for the ”dead letter office” joke himself.]

I’d actually expect a letter, given the looks of this place.

Or a contact through a mirror. Depends on the ghosts.

[serpentinthegarden]

They are the easiest ones to reach. Besideeees, no one writes letters anymore!

[ Maybe they would in old Orleans but not so much in London. ]

Maybe if you looked into the mirror you might catch sight of one sneaking up behind you.

[creepyoldguy]

It really entirely depends on when they died—-

[His hair brightened.]

Oh em gee, if there’s actually ghosts here who would try to scare me? That would be fan-tas-tic! I’d take them out for a date in a hot minute.

[serpentinthegarden]

Well... I don't know if she exists here but you have heard of Bloody Mary? You take a candle into a dimly lit room, chant her name several times, and she appears behind you to give you a scare.

I don't know if she has any interest in dating.

[creepyoldguy]

Oh god/satan she is such a priss. Scaring middle school girls at sleepovers —-while entertaining—-makes her believe she’s the Netherworld’s gift to scaring. When in actuality she’s a lawyer.

Bleh.

[Beetlejuice made a face, sticking his striped tongue out.]

I couldn’t summon another demon anyway. Summoner has to be alive.

[serpentinthegarden]

She's a lawyer? I don't know... they scare the Hell out of some people. Suing people, best way to send a shock of terror up someone's spine.

[creepyoldguy]

The Netherworld has a lot of attorneys. Mostly demons and succubus. A few deceased working off debt.

I guess boring can be scary....

[serpentinthegarden]

Nnaaahhhh.... I can't see a succubus with a briefcase. What would they have to file?

[creepyoldguy]

Their nails.

[He gave a little finger waggle.]

[serpentinthegarden]

That's their secretaries surely?

[creepyoldguy]

Mmm. Maybe. They were always finicky, when I was still below ground.

[serpentinthegarden]

It was probably the company.

[creepyoldguy]

....true. Kinda universally hated in the Netherworld.

[serpentinthegarden]

Sucks to be Underclass.

[creepyoldguy]

Nah. Breathers and ghosts are more fun anyway.