By Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc

Chapter 1

           “Did we come at a bad time, Mr. Van Landingham?”

The young man extended his hand to the tired looking producer, Robyne Van Landingham.

“I’m Rance Hastings. We spoke on the phone and told you we would be by today. We were expecting to be able to interview some of the staff and crew.”

Rance seemed somewhat annoyed as he set his camera down. He hated to have his time wasted.

“This is Jayson, and Reyella,” he said, motioning to another young man and a young, dark-haired woman, “and that guy there inspecting your floor, is Toby.”

Jayson nodded his head at Robyne in mute acknowledgement and popped his gum.

“Everybody’s probably on break or in-between takes.”

The red-haired man squatted down as if searching the floor for something. Robyne wasn’t sure he was doing the right thing, but these self-proclaimed parapsychologists were his last hope. While Toby looked at the floor, the other three young people silently took in the ethereal, otherworldly beauty of the set. It was a gothic manor setting with a huge, Greek statue bedecked, sweeping staircase leading to a second-floor balcony. Dazzling colors from giant stained-glass windows danced throughout the room, bouncing off monstrous intricately carved mirrors lining the walls.

“No, you haven’t come at a bad time…I’m afraid this is it…this is my crew, just what you see. As I told you during our phone conversation, I cannot keep any help. I have a new caterer and makeup artist, suggested by a friend, coming in today, but I would be surprised if either of them stayed.”

Robyne sighed in frustration.

“I don’t know how I’m going to keep this production running without help. I have cast members doing crew jobs! Not to mention the money I am losing. I’m producing this movie myself and I’m already three months behind schedule!”

The dark-haired woman dug through her bag producing a

pad and pen.

“Now Mr. Van Landingham, tell us again about this supposed ghost and why you think he’s responsible for running off your cast and crew?”

Robyne’s face turned red. Yet again, he doubted his decision to call these supposed parapsychologists. There had already been two weeks of telephone interviews and they were still questioning him! He assumed they were trying to make sure this wasn’t a waste of their time with some crackpot, but by now his patience was thinning. He had enough aggravation. Maybe he should tell them to leave, he just had enough.

         “Look…”

           “This place is sad.”

The strange and unexpected statement made by the quiet young man Toby, caught Robyne off guard. What the fuck was that supposed to mean?

“Something terrible happened here. The utter hopelessness in this place is nearly palpable.”

Robyne could feel his blood pressure going down. “That is what I’m hoping you can find out for me. Why this ghost, or whatever he is, is intent on destroying my movie, and what he has against my leading man, Rankin McAllington.”

Toby looked up at the catwalk spanning the set, then back at Robyne.

           “Something definitely happened here.”

Toby continued to stare up at the catwalk. Robyne was not sure if that was a good or bad thing. He doubted much of anything any longer; he doubted his decisions, he doubted his thoughts, he doubted each day what he was even doing coming back onto this hellhole of a set, as it had become! He was not sure at times whether he was coming or going. The stress of the ghost ruining his production had been unbearable as of late. He did not know how much more he could take.

            Toby looked back at Robyne. “When did the disturbances begin?”

“From almost day one. We would find cameras knocked over; cameras that were mounted and secured; film canisters were opened, the film strewn all over the set. We thought at first that it was vandals. This is not the best of neighborhoods and there are a great deal of homeless people and drug pushers in the area; I just

assumed they were responsible. However, after a while it became obvious that there was a lot more wrong with this set, and with this production, than the neighborhood. We have tolerated it for as long as we can, and we just cannot sit back any longer and watch him ruin everything we have worked so hard on. It has now gotten to the point, just starting a couple of days ago, that he has begun showing up in the takes.

We feel we are all in danger. While we couldn’t see him, it wasn’t so bad. But now he’s made it a point to let us know that not only are we not welcome here, but also, he will do anything to get us off this set. He has been breaking objects right before our eyes and stalking our cast and crew. They cannot even go to the bathroom without him standing behind them, grinning like some demon from hell! He stood beside one guy at the urinals yesterday… the poor guy couldn’t even take a piss in peace!

Whoever this bastard is, he seems to hate Rankin and will make sure that if anyone gets near him, they do not stay with him for long. Needless to say, this has not gone very well with him, or the people who have been unfortunate enough to be around him. One poor girl ran out screaming when he appeared in the chair across from Rankin while she was doing his makeup. He never moved; he just sat there, grinning malevolently at the both of them. I mean, Christ, how am I supposed to get the footage I need if I can’t even get my leading man into makeup?

After she left, we heard insidious laughter coming from the catwalk. When we looked up, there he was, laughing. Then he simply vanished. Everyone here witnessed it.”

Robyne roughly combed his fingers through his hair. He was shaking again. He hated it when he was so wired up, but he couldn’t help it. Each day he was closer to ruin and he was desperate for help.

“We have gone through numerous caterers, at least three wardrobe mistresses, two makeup artists, and I lost track of how many stylists. I can’t even get new crew members to replace the ones that have quit! They have spread the word about this place and now no one, even if they are just starting out and need the experience, will come and work for me! This is a dog-eat-dog business, and you can’t learn everything you need to know about the production world by studying at school; you have to get on a set and learn the ropes so to speak. Well hell, I cannot get the local college kids to come here and work… even for double pay!”

Toby nodded understandingly. “Has a séance been attempted?”

“No. We can’t keep anyone long enough to even bother with one. The last one I even thought of doing, he harassed everyone to the point where no one would even talk to me about it, let alone stay any longer than they had to and hold one!”

            Toby nodded once again.

Rance rolled his eyes in boredom and folded his arms across his chest. Robyne already didn’t like them, or the young woman. Toby seemed to be fine, but he once again doubted his judgment. He was with them, so what did that make him?

He just wished they’d hurry the fuck up, figure out what was wrong with his set, and do whatever they had to do, to fix it. He rubbed his head. Rance continued to roll his eyes. God, Robyne wanted to slap him.

             “So, Toby, what do you think?”

“I think we should set up and get started. I would also like to interview the cast and crew.”

              Robyne nodded. “I don’t see a problem with that.

              However, you must stay out of the way during filming no matter what you see. I have enough problems with this set with my filming being interrupted; I don’t need all of you in the way as well.

Agreed?”

“Absolutely; this is your set, Mr. Van Landingham. You make the rules. We are only here to help. May we set up in the morning?”

Toby never looked up as he spoke to Robyne. Robyne didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. Was he listening? Did he truly care? Or was he just being obnoxious and disrespectful?

“The set will be open at eight a.m., but you will need to wait for me to get here.”

Toby stood up. “Thank you, sir. We will be here in the morning. We appreciate your patience with us. I’m sure you can understand our trepidation.”

“Indeed, I do Toby. I’ve never believed in ghosts myself. I certainly do now.”

As Robyne watched the group walk away, he couldn’t help but think…did things just get better or worse? He was going to have to break down and call Devon. If he didn’t do so for himself, then he would have to in order to save his ailing production. He should have just accepted his help when he first offered it. God, he could kick himself!

         “Screw it,” he muttered contemptuously and headed to his

office.

           Robyne looked at the phone on his desk and ran his hands

through his hair. He really hated to call Devon. It seemed as if he was taking advantage of him. At least that was how he felt.

“Oh fuck, he made the offer and he wouldn’t have made it unless he meant it, so, fuck it, I will call him.”

              Robyne sighed in defeat and picked up the phone.

              The phone rang once, then twice, and Trystan answered.   “Devon Wellington’s office, Trystan Chamberlain speaking.”

             “Hi Trystan. Is Devon there?”

             “Sure Robyne, hold on.”

             “Robyne! Decide to take me up on my offer?”

Devon was right. He never told Robyne that he knew he would eventually need his help, but he did know. It seemed sometimes that Devon knew everything. Robyne was thankful his friend had not rubbed it in his face too badly, that he was, yet again, right about something.

            “Does the offer still stand Devon…I hope?”

“Robyne…I told you; the offer would remain extended in case you needed it. I know this is difficult for you, and no, you don’t owe me. I know you have been under a tremendous amount of pressure lately, and I have seen what it has done to you. It’s been very difficult for me to sit by and not be able to help you. If you need my help now, by all means, you’ll have it.”

Devon was the type of friend few were lucky enough to have. He was kind, considerate, patient, honest, loyal, and trustworthy. Devon was all those things and more…the kind of friend who would give his life for you without a second thought. They had known each other for two years but to the casual observer, they looked like old high school or college friends. They were best friends and Robyne loved his friend deeply. He would never forget the night he met Devon…

Currently available in paperback on kindle and audio soon to be released in

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