“The Benign Old Dude.”

“Look at the door. Someone’s scrawled words there. Looks like, ‘I wouldn’t!’ What do you think it means?”

“Don’t know, lets get in before we’re seen. God, Look at those stairs!”

“They don’t look safe.”

“I wonder if they’ll hold me. I’ll go first and if I make it you’ll be okay. It’ll wobble like crazy though.”

“But, it’s a rickety old hulk of spiral stairs.”

“It’s the only way up.”

“You could go get a ladder.”

“Getting a 12 foot ladder in here unseen isn’t possible. We’re not supposed to be here, remember?”

“Yeah, I do. Okay, but if you fall we’re leaving. If you live.”

“I’ll stop at the first sign of trouble.”

“Why are we doing this again, David?”

“Because you’re into haunted houses and talked me into it, Gail. Remember? Ghost hunting you said.”

“Oh, yeah, I remember now. I’m not sure it’s a good idea any more.”

“A few rusty stairs and you’re ready to quit. Chicken!”

“You’re just goading me. I have to think about this.”

“Don’t take too long.”

“What? What’d you say, Gail?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I heard you, you said, ‘Don’t take too long.’ I heard you.”

“No I didn’t.”

“I did.”

“Who the hell’s there! Quit screwing with us and come out so we can see you.”

“Okay ... happy now?”

“Holy shit, Gail! Who is it? I can see through him.”

“Oops, hows that.”

“Gail? What’s going on?”

“It’s a ghost, David. I told you they existed.”

“Yes, we do. It’s not a bad way to live.”

“Live? You’re dead!”

“Only in your small world. In mine there are trillions of people and an infinity to live in.”

“And God?”

“Yeah, but he’s a benign old dude and, like in your world, we can get away with anything.”