Ghost of the Christmas Spirit Intern: Through the Space Between

‘Me and my big mouth…’ I said this to myself as my boss took me to the portal. I seriously can't believe I have been subjected to do this. All because I have stuff to say about Ebenizer Scrooge and it all started ‘cause I went ‘boo’. Excuse me, but it's my right to say what I feel about the matter. I'm not going with the crowd just because you all are too simple minded for my taste. I guess that's what happens when you work at the Unrested Spirits of New Beginnings (USONB), everyone gets all optimistic and mushy-like.

I need more results to confirm that Mr. Scrooge has changed. Not just a simple “oh geez, I just had the most dreadful dream that my actions have long lasting consequences if I don’t act upon them now” turnaround over Christmas. I ain't buying into any of it. He can't fool me. I've been there once before but I won't get into that. The point is, I'm an analyst for goodness sake. I can't easily be swayed unlike everybody at the USONB, including my boss.

I thought Anor, the Ghost of Christmas Future, would have understood, but he hasn't once spoken to me since my disagreement with everyone. However, I couldn't blame him though, especially considering my boss wasn't at all pleased about it. She really made it feel like everyone needs to be on the same page or else you'll be demoted and banished out of The Cloud Citadel, including all of the divisions. Fortunately for me, I was a relative of hers (second cousin removed), but we don't talk about any family affairs whatsoever, even with or without working all the dang time. Business comes first, you know.

Anyways, I will continue following her to the portal. A gateway that leads us towards the living realm where Scrooge (and majority of our clients) resides at. It's meant for us to be transparent for the living to see. A Space Between if you will (one of which we do often call it occasionally but the portal is short and sweet, gets straight to the point). I have been here plenty of times, especially the night prior. So I already knew the protocols and procedures; it's like second nature to me.

To be honest, if I wasn't an analyst, I think a portal engineer would have been my alternative career. I have always been fascinated with that type of stuff. So much so, I would bother the crew members asking them multiple questions at the end of my shifts. All of whom don't mind it at all thankfully for they don't have many people interested in that field. Who wouldn't? Everything about that place is amazing and well put together! Plus portals are really cool. What's not to love?

My boss (aka second cousin removed) had other plans for me in my career path. She wanted me to be an alertist like the OG3 as she would proudly call them. Anor, Ima, and Navin have been the Ghost of Christmas Spirits for so long that she expects one of them to retire so she insisted that I would take one of the mandates.

Sure, I have already decided on that professional with no question, and I have enjoyed myself watching them three do their work. It has been fun. However, my heart is somewhere else. I want to continue my analysis professional ‘cause before I was a ghost, I was as such among the living. I guess old habits don't die hard even after you are a ghost.

We've arrived at the destination. As soon as I saw the crew members, I acknowledged them. They waved back, but quickly went back to work considering the boss right next to me. She knows how to kill a mood in the room at times. One of them proceeded to open the portal knowing why the two of us are here for.

As my second cousin removed (the boss) and I approached the gateway, she stopped me in our tracks and replied: “I'm sorry it has come to this, Prudent. But you need to be taught a lesson.”

“Edna, it's quite alright. You're gonna do what you're gonna do,” I said prematurely before thinking to myself. ‘Even if I might agree on it. I didn't want to do this at all.’

“Just think about it this way, you can sleep knowing you made the right decision on this. You'll be able to see it our way that Scrooge is a changed man.”

“I guess seeing is believing.” Again, me speaking prematurely before speaking for myself in mind. ‘That’s that thing: I can't sleep, even if I tried or wanted to! This job is for the Unrested; we ghosts who have an eternal duty to be the spirits leading those to new beginnings and possibilities. We can't simply do our jobs by sleeping.’

“Exactly, Prudent. Which is why you have been assigned to see it through that Ebenizer can be redeemed as much as everyone else.”

“Huh-huh.” “That's the thing, he's one of the many who is rotten and evil to the core. I'm sure he's plotting something to get away with something. I just have a guy feeling about all of this. It's too good to be true.’

“Are you ready to go on to your next assignment? I have made sure we got connection between the dead and living if anything comes awry. You and I will stay in touch.

“Yeah, I'm ready, Edna.” ‘I'm not looking forward to having my ear off for someone, including my own family relative, to tell me what I can do and can't do. I have my own free will and I should be able to do what I want. However, everything at Cloud Citadel isn't perfect as you might have guessed. We have been under a heavy thumb for as long as I can remember.’

I looked upon the portal and through it, I can see Ebenizer Scrooge walking down the street with a skip in his step, waving to all of the bystanders.

“Good luck, Prudent,” Edna gently pushes me to go while sending me off. “May the Spirits Be Your Guide.” She had to use our slogan at this particular time. I couldn't help but shake my head mentally.

I was there at the spiritual realm, and shortly afterwards arrived amongst the living. The Space Between (portal) vanished as soon as I was over. Now, it is time for Operation: Post-Christmas Carol of Redemption.