EZRA: Fuck this.
I can't talk to anyone but myself.
This sucks.
I guess it's nice not having to go to work.
And floating through walls is fun.
sob
I don't wanna be dead, man.
I'm not ready to be dead.
STANGER: Hey.
Hey, stupid. Over here.
EZRA: huh- What?
STRANGER: I said over here! Shhshsh!
EZRA: You... you can hear me?
Wait, can other people hear me?
STRANGER: No, dumbass! But they can hear me, and I don't want people staring.
Now get over here!
EZRA: Okay, okay, stop yelling.
And don't be so mean to me.
I'm kinda going through something right now.
STRANGER: Yeah, you're dead, stupid. Get used to it.
EZRA: Man
If you weren't the only person i could talk to right now
STRANGER: Well you aren't my first choice of company either, mopey.
I'm dead too, alright? I'm here to help you.
Call me Alyssa.
EZRA: Oh. Well, nice to meet you, Alyssa.
I'm Ezra.
ALYSSA: I know.
EZRA: Oh
What?
I'm so confused. Why can other people hear you? Why do you know my name?
ALYSSA: Over here.
First, I can interact with both you and the living because I'm manifesting.
Second, I know your name because I read your license.
EZRA: Why
Or how?
I don't know the right questions to ask anymore.
ALYSSA: I have a friend at the hospital. She slipped me your stuff on her break and told me to find you.
I'm not usually in the orientation business, but I owe her a favor, and she can't say no to new ghosts.
This is a good spot. Here, arrange this stuff in a diamond with me.
EZRA: Um... okay
What are we doing?
ALYSSA: I'm helping you manifest.
ALYSSA: Now float in the center and visualize something you had to do before you died.
Like, an errand you were running, or some personal conflict... use your imagination.
EZRA: Alright.
ALYSSA: I said float in the center, dummy.
And concentrate.
EZRA: Alright.
EZRA: ...
I don't feel any different.
Ow!
ALYSSA: Got you.
EZRA: What's your deal? I mean, what the hell?
Why did you throw that at me?
Oh my god
It hit me. It touched me. I can touch things now.
ALYSSA: You're welcome.
EZRA: You resurrected me!
ALYSSA: Oh my god
No, I helped you manifest.
Listen, You are still a ghost. You can still float through stuff and turn invisible and all that. You just need to concentrate to do it.
But you can interact with the living again now. That's your default state.
Just don't tell anyone. About yourself, or me, or any of this. I cannot stress this enough, do not tell the living you are a ghost.
EZRA: Then... then why do this? Any of this?
ALYSSA: An afterlife alone is not worth living. Afterliving.
Trust me, I know. Other undead are fun, but you had a life apart from that up until a few hours ago.
It's not fair to have that taken away so suddenly.
Listen, I know you probably have a lot to process, and I know I haven't been the nicest to you.
But I'm here for you, alright? Me and the rest our group.
We're meeting at Drake's diner at 9 PM tonight. I recommend you come and meet the rest of us.
EZRA: The joint across from the Albertsons'? We're not getting dinner, I hope.
ALYSSA: You haven't had the potato skins, I gather.
EZRA: laughter
Thanks, Alyssa. You are wise beyond your years, kid.
ALYSSA: Hah.
Be there. And don't forget your things.
EZRA: Okay.