Dial-a-Ghost
#10 of Royalty
Author's Note: Thanks to all my friends, watchers, and readers. You guys are awesome! This story is set one week after the Dope Party Part 2.
Dial-a-Ghost
James sighed as he finally decided to tell his aide, Martha, what happened at the dope party last week.
"I didn't expect much, but I didn't expect my best friend to hook up with the most annoying person I know. I thought I was just having a bad trip, but nope. There they were having sex right before my eyes", James said
"Did Kuhlman see this", Martha asked. She was a brown-haired woman in her '20s and a recent graduate from the University of Jerk Island. She wore a plain grey business suit with brown sandals.
"See it? He was watching it! He really enjoyed it too", James said
Just then, his phone rang. It was Lucius, for the third time that day.
"I'm still not going to answer it", James said
"Why", Martha asked
"You know why. If his father was still alive, he would be on my side. He didn't like Max III at all", James said. He then turned on the TV in his office to take his mind off things. The channel he was on was showing a rather bizarre commercial:
Did you ever wish you could talk to the dead? Now you can with "Dial-a-Ghost"! Simply place your hand on the palm reader and in ten minutes or less, you'll get a call from beyond the grave! There's no electricity or subscription service required! It's all powered by your psychic aura. Best of all, it's now only 70 Jerk Island Pounds or 80 Fox Pounds for our Vulpine friends. Buy it today from Flexco's Department Store in JIC or the Royal Convenience Shop in Fox Hollow. Dial-a-Ghost today!
"It's totally a scam", James remarked
"I think it sounds nice", Martha said
"If you think it's so nice then go down to Flexco's, buy one, and bring it back to my office. I'll show you that this ghost phone thing is a piece of junk", James said. He then handed her 70 Jerk Island Pounds. She accepted the money and went out to buy a "Dial-a-Ghost". She came back an hour later, hoping it would work. She handed the box to James and he removed the phone from it and placed it on his desk. It was beige in color, with an opaque plastic orb where the number buttons would be. The receiver was the same color as the phone itself and was connected to the unit with the standard phone cord.
"Watch carefully, I'm only going to do this once", James said.
He then placed his right palm on the orb and held it there for two minutes before letting go. He then waited ten minutes, but nothing happened.
"You see its crap. Now if you excuse me I've got work to do", James said
Martha left the room disappointed and annoyed. In truth, James didn't have any work to do that day; he just made up an excuse to be left alone. He fell asleep in his chair a couple of minutes after Martha left. He was awoken by the sound of a phone ringing. He thought it was his office phone, but when he picked it up, he heard nothing but the dial tone. Then he looked over at the Dial-a-Ghost and noticed that the orb was glowing and that the Dial-a-Ghost was the phone that was ringing.
"Hello", James said when he picked up the receiver.
"Hello James. It's been a while", a familiar voice said.
James shivered when he heard it. It was Lucius IV, but James wasn't going to believe in ghosts that easily.
"Marvelous impersonation of Lucius IV I must say", James said
"I am him. Don't you believe in ghosts", Lucius IV asked
"No, I don't. I only bought this phone to prove that it's a piece of junk", James said
"I know this Dial-a-Ghost thing is strange. Heck, I'm still getting used to it, but I really am Lucius IV. Go ahead, ask me something that only you and I would know", Lucius IV said
"Okay. What did you get your son for his ninth birthday", James asked
"Nothing because I forgot", Lucius IV said
James gasped. It really was Lucius IV.
"You've passed the test", James said, shocked
"Told you I was who I said I was. So how are you", Lucius IV asked
"Okay I guess", James said, still weirded out about talking to a ghost
"What's wrong", Lucius IV asked
"Same old, same old really; the people don't like me, Max keeps asking for my island, etc.", James said
"That sucks. Max is so annoying isn't he", Lucius IV said
"You got that right", James said
"How's my son doing? He doesn't have this ghost phone thing I guess because I never see his name come up", Lucius IV said
"Huh? You haven't seen his name come up in what", James asked
"There's a place in the afterlife where you can see the names of the living who are trying to get in touch with the dead. There's a bunch of phones near the board with the names. I saw your name come up and thought I would talk to you since I haven't seen you in a while", Lucius IV said
"That's very nice of you. My father wouldn't have done that", James said
"Yeah, I know", Lucius IV said, with sadness in his voice
"Well you were more of a father to me than he ever was", James said
"Thanks", Lucius IV said
"You're welcome", James said
The call was interrupted by Martha, who knocked on the door and shouted, "sir, Lucius and Max are here to see you!"
"What did she say", Lucius IV asked
"Your son and Max want to see me", James said
"Well you should let them in, I would love to talk to my son...wait they're visiting you at the same time", Lucius IV said
"Yep", James said
"They aren't...no that would be ridiculous...they'd never be a couple", Lucius IV said
"Well...about that..." James started to say before being cut off by the arrival of Max III and Lucius V.
"Dude, are you still mad about me and Max being together. You never answer my calls", Lucius V shouted
"Yeah, what's your problem", Max III said
"What", Lucius IV shouted. He was so loud that everyone in the room could hear him.
"Who are you talking to James", Lucius V asked
"Your father", James said
"Hand him the phone, I need to talk some sense into that boy", Lucius IV said
James then handed the phone to Lucius V.
"Look I don't know what scam you are trying to pull, but stop pretending to be my dad", Lucius shouted angrily
"I am your dad! I forgot to give you a birthday present when you were 9. Now, why in the world would you want to date Max", Lucius IV said
"Because I love him dad", Lucius V shouted
"And I love him too", Max III shouted. He then kissed his boyfriend on the lips.
"Are you high", Lucius IV asked, sounding rather irritated
"No, I'm completely sober", Lucius V replied
"Well, I think you're making a huge mistake", Lucius IV shouted.
In the spirit world, Max II, Max's father, started arguing with Lucius IV. Everyone in James' office could hear this argument loud and clear.
"Are you saying my son isn't worthy enough to date yours", Max II shouted
"So what if I am", Lucius IV said
"What the hell is your problem", Max II said
"Your son is a whiny little bitch", Lucius IV shouted
"Take that back", Max II replied
"No way", Lucius IV shouted
"Shut up", Martha shouted, "Can't you guys just get along?! Lucius and Max love each other, just let them be!"
Lucius IV hung up. Lucius V kissed Max III passionately on the lips and said to James, "I love this man and I don't care if you, my dad, or anyone else disapproves."
"I love him James", Max III said, giving Lucius a deep, passionate kiss.
James sighed and said, "Okay, but you better not break his heart."
"I won't break his heart. I promise", Max III said
"Can we be best friends again", Lucius V asked James
"Yes we can", James said.
The human and wolf hugged. They were best friends again.