GHOST HOUSE

Jennifer's seated on the bed, hugging herself tightly and looking disturbed. She offers you an attempt at a smile when you approach.

JENNIFER

Um, hi, Mandy!

MANDY

It's fine. You can freak out.

She immediately slumps, staring at her knees again with her bottom lip between her teeth.

JENNIFER

I think that person's insane. I think they're not right and- and they might even be dangerous. I mean, ghosts?

MANDY

You saw that painting out in the stairwell too. So did Vince. What was that, then?

JENNIFER

I don't know. You'd said you'd been seeing s-stuff like that since the funeral. Maybe we're all just having some- some shared nervous breakdown like that.

MANDY

It attacked me, though. I'm bleeding and everything.

JENNIFER

I-I mean, maybe you scratched yourself on something in the stairwell? The place is in a dangerous state, after all, there's all kinds of-

MANDY

Jennifer.

JENNIFER

I'm sorry!!

The dam finally breaks, and with it comes a relief. You sit on the bed next to her as she starts to cry.

MANDY

Sorry. Sorry. I don't know why I snapped like that.

JENNIFER

N-No, I- it isn't your fault. I'm alright, sorry, it's just- allergies, haha.

MANDY

Oh. Do you need a tissue?

JENNIFER

I'm okay. I'm okay. Don't worry about it.

MANDY

Alright, taking you at your word.

She composes herself, quieting down again. She looks at you sheepishly.

JENNIFER

So, uh... What do you think about this?

MANDY

What, the whole ghost situation? I don't know. Why are you asking me?

JENNIFER

You're the most experienced with ghosts in here. And, um, I trust you more than that stranger.

MANDY

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm not... I mostly just ignore them, to be honest.

JENNIFER

Do you think we could ignore them, too? Would that work?

Her eye shines with hope, but you get the sense that she knows what she's saying doesn't make sense. After all, she watched that painting attack you.

MANDY

Worth a shot. If not, I've got this belt, so I mean...

JENNIFER

Right!

She smiles confidently and nods, reassured by your words. You decide to leave her be, feeling annoyed again, turning your attention to the big wardrobe in the room.