#24hourcontest: A man who doesn’t believe in ghosts checks into a mental hospital that has been closed for twenty years.

Image credit pixabay.com - Special thanks to @mctiller

For more information about this contest visit:
https://steemit.com/twentyfourhourshortstory/@mctiller/writers-win-5-steem-august-14-twenty-four-hour-short-story-contest-a-man-who-doesn-t-believe-in-ghosts-checks-into-a-mental

My entry:

Jasper didn’t believe in the Holy Ghost, so how could people expect him to believe in a regular ghost.

Yet the conversation with the old woman left him feeling unnerved. Really more like a sideshow gypsy telling a fortune than a homeless woman asking for change. Honestly, who else would say such a thing, “spirits gather for a meeting with you.”

The absurd over expression of the eyes like she’d already drank today, only one o’clock in the afternoon. He walked through the busy streets of the city to get back to his office on the 12th floor. It felt noticeably colder even with the sun hanging in the clear blue sky.

While making the dash across the alley between 49th and 50th avenue he noticed something unexpected, a vintage red neon sign lit up that said “Open”.

Jasper had only lived in the area for three years, and began working his current job in the city that took him along this route for about three months. So it wouldn’t be out of the question that he just hadn’t noticed the sign before.

He put it in his memory and went back to work.

About a week later he walked passed the alley between 49th and 50th and looked down the brick paved driveway. The sign sat there, only it had been turned off and the building looked vacant. Almost as if no one had been there in 20 years.

The start of a heavy snow sent Jasper and his colleagues home early one winter day. Only he had a place to stay downtown that evening, and a little time to kill before then. He decided to get something to eat at a place near his work as if he were taking lunch. And as he walked passed the alley between 49th and 50th avenue the bright red neon light beckoned like a beacon, “Open”.

Curious, Jasper made the short walk down the alley. Who knew, maybe they served food or something, and without having to get back to work, and nowhere to be until later, it seemed the perfect time to investigate.

He pushed the large brass door open and stepped inside. A nurse stood still looking down a dark hallway. She didn’t seem to notice his entrance even with the rush of cold air from outside.

“Hello.” Jasper announced in a soft voice as not to scare the nurse. He found it unsuccessful as she shrieked in fright. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. The sign said Open so I let myself in.”

The nurse turned to look at him with her hand over her heart, her skin pale, and her eyes wide and black as coal. Attractive, and yet her age could not be determined. She might be in her 20s or late 40s.

“Jasper?” She asked.

“Yes, my name’s Jasper. And you are?”

“We’ve been expecting you. You’re a little late.”

“Who’s been expecting me?”

“Well the Doctor of course. He asked to see you right away. That happened to be almost a month ago I’m afraid. Good thing we aren’t busy these days.”

“Once again, nurse? Please accept my apology for I just opened the door out of curiosity. It’s snowing outside and we’ve been let go at work early. Staying at a girlfriend’s place tonight. I’m just looking around for a place to eat. Do you serve food here?”

“Food? You’re in St. Bernadine Hospital Jasper. We serve food in the cafeteria at the designated times as always. Sneaking around for a snack?”

“No, just opened the door to take a look inside. Think I’ll be going now.”

“Planning to escape Jasper?”

“What? It’s just a lunch break.” He turned and tried to pull the large brass door toward him. Of course it would not move. He then tried to push the door to no avail.

“You can’t leave St. Bernadine Hospital without permission from the Doctor. Jasper, you know the rules.”

Jasper turned to look at the pretty nurse again. Annoyed with the situation he felt as if someone must be playing a prank on him and decided it best to play along. “Well, can I see the Doctor?”

“Yes, of course. Follow me. He’s been expecting you for a while.”

Jasper followed the nurse down the hall watching her attractive figure sway in her white gown. The tile floors looked polished. Wood doors with frosty windows adorned with names of doctors. Until she stopped and tapped on the glass where a name in gold letters read “Dr. Caligari.”

“Yes!” Came the responsive shout.

“Dr. Caligari, Jasper’s here to see you.”

“Finally, let him in please.”

“The Doctor will see you now.” The nurse said timidly and opened the door so that Jasper could go inside and against his better judgment he did.

The office actually felt warm and cozy with wood floors, a bear skin rug, and a raging fire place that warmed him instantly from whatever cold still lingered from outside. Dr. Caligari sat behind his desk like a mad scientist with wisping white hair and hard staring eyes. He motioned Jasper to take a seat in front of him and he did.

“Jasper the friendly ghost, you finally stopped your little routine and came back home.”

“Ha, ha, I think you’ve got me confused with someone else.”

“What’s your last name Jasper? Where are you from Jasper?”

“Well my last name . . . I’m from . . . you know it’s difficult when you put me on the spot like this.”

“Difficult to remember your last name? Difficult to remember where you’re from? Or will you come to terms with the truth, you’re a ghost Jasper.”

“I’m a ghost?”

“Splendid. You can finally see the light. You’ve really no place to be except for here. Now, if you let me hypnotize you, your memories shall return, I promise.” Said Dr. Caligari.

Thank you,
Cyrus Emerson

Red Roses the audiobook for your consideration at the Voice Arts Awards (NYC), and the Grammys (LA).
https://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Red-Roses-Audiobook/B07F2LWHPN

Red Roses narrated by Kira Omans
www.kiraomans.com

Red Roses music by Rike Luxx
www.rikeluxxbeats.com

Red Roses sound by Pond5
www.pond5.com

Also, available from The Author:

Fear and Loathing in the State of Jefferson - ebook
https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B079R5KLPN&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_GsURAbAVDYNEM

Lost Angel – Introduction with Ray Manzarek of The Doors
https://www.downpour.com/lost-angel?sp=249812