Voyeurism

Back on Earth . . .

“Okay boys, smile for the camera. This one’s for the local papers. I promised them a few pics.” Jake, Eddie and Tracey smiled, and Jessica took several photographs.

“Hey Jess, do you get paid for the still pictures you take?”

“Every one, Eddie.” She changed the film in her camera and took a few shots of the scene that was left after the bust. “Photography has always been my true passion. I was originally trained as a photojournalist, straight out of college, but the editor of the paper I used to work for said I was wasting my talents behind the camera when I should have been in front of it. Something about my having the right look for TV or something. I still have no idea what he meant by that.” She changed rolls again and slung her camera over her shoulder.

“Well, that’s easy,” Jake replied. “He meant that you were way too beautiful not to be seen by the public. I’m sure you’ve raised the ratings at WGPN News a point or two.”

Jessica turned to face him, pink-faced with embarrassment. Jake smirked and winked at her before getting into GB. Eddie and Tracey followed suit. “He’s right, Jess,” Eddie added. “All our friends think you’re a knockout, present company included.” Tracey whistled at her.

Jessica grinned at them. “Thanks. You guys flatter me too much.”

“No, they’re right, Jessica. You’d make a gorgeous sports car! If you ask m-m-me, it’s you who flatters them too much. Bunch o’ m-m-meatheads!” the Ghost Buggy grumbled.

They frowned at the old car. “Nobody asked you, GB!” Jake scolded. “Keep it up, and we’ll start buying the cheapest gasoline we can find instead of that premium stuff you like so much!” The car started up without protest, but muttered insults under his breath at the Ghostbusters. Jessica stifled a laugh as she moved back a respectable distance to allow their takeoff.

All of a sudden, Jake realized that he’d forgotten something. “Wait a minute! Hey Jess, hold on a second!” He got out and ran over to her. Eddie and Tracey watched as he led her further away from them and said something to her that caused her to become veryiousious. She nodded politely at him and said something in return. Then she turned and got into her news chopper and flew away. Jake watched her go with an odd expression on his face, and then wandered back over to his partners and rned ned to his usual place in GB’s shotgun seat.

He was quiet during the flight home. He barely made a sound, only grunting affirmatively or negatively at what Eddie said to him. “Jake, are you okay?” his best friend finally asked.

“Hm?”

“I said are you all right? You seem k dis distant.”

“Uh. Yeah. I’m fine.” And with that, Jake fell silent again. He was clearly in deep thought about something that was troubling him, something he seemed unwilling to discuss with his friends. Eddie sighed and decided not to press him about it.

“Okay, buddy. If you’re sure.”

Jake didn’t answer.