23 traps filled with weird science

[ectobabble]

Hey! Uh, I'd put a filter up, but honestly it'd be really super-crazy-broad anyway, and I might as well just tell you all ...

I'm gonna be bringing my PKE meter outside today, and taking some readings of the old, original Dead Zone border from like, five years ago. Zelman was nice enough to give me a really good map of where the edge of everything used to be, and I was hoping I could find some sort of residual energy signature left over from when the borders shifted - kind of like the rings in a tree.

So, if anyone's interested in helping me collect some data, meet me out by the duck pond and we'll get this thing organized! I have one other PKE meter if anyone wants to help me take readings...

[and true to his word, he'll be waiting out by the duck pond in his ghostbusting coveralls, a sheaf of carefully-made copies of Zelman's map tucked in his journal in its harness, one PKE meter hanging from his belt, and the other in his hand. let's solve some mysteries, gang!]

Comments

[workaphilic]

[Guess who's showing up to the duck pond completely without preamble.

Oh yeah it's that crazy guy with the billowy coat.

HEY BRO.]

[ectobabble]

Hey, Sherlock! [Ray grins] Here, I made copies of the map.

[he knows how you operate - no small talk, straight to the science] Do you want to borrow my spare PKE meter, too?

[workaphilic]

If it's available. [He's eyeing it already, as he takes his copy of the map.] Interested in testing it for myself.

[ectobabble]

Absolutely! [he'll unclip it and hand it over] There were some notes about how it works in the journals, but if you've got any questions, I'll be happy to help.

[other than that? he knows you're smart enough to figure it out on your own]

[workaphilic]

Oh, I think I'll manage.

[By which he means he's going to start using it right now because he figured out how while Ray was unclipping it from his belt.]

[ectobabble]

[Ray just GRINS] Great! Baseline castle energy level is around 185 indoor, 130 outdoor. If you see it spike over 130, that's worth notating.

[workaphilic]

[That gets a sort of half-nod, just as an acknowledgment. He's pacing a little, watching the meter with interest.]

What's the highest level you've recorded thus far?

[ectobabble]

[he's already setting up a page in a separate notebook for reading data. without looking up] In general, or here? In general I've buried the needle, back home. Here, when we were all kicked out in the fall, it hit about 600. Not powerful as say, a demonic entity like Gozer or Vigo, but -- still with a lot more clout than your average Class 5. ... I'm almost a hundred percent sure that wasn't its full ability, though.

[and hey, thanks to his notes he gave you for Christmas, you know what the hell he's talking about]

[workaphilic]

[He most certainly does. He paces a short distance, his eyes fixed on the meter in his hand.]

Of course not. [It's that same, half-muttering tone he uses when he's having more of a conversation with himself than anyone. Really hope you're used to it by now, bro.] That was tame compared to other incidents that have been recorded, not nearly a proper demonstration of what this place is capable of. With any luck we'll get a better sample soon.

[ectobabble]

Yeah. I mean - look at what we found in Libet. We know it's capable of 900-level phenomena. Not that I'm goin' around wishin' for it ...

[workaphilic]

[He barely glances up.]

Why not? I am. The data would be invaluable.

[ectobabble]

<[he frowns worriedly] … Yeah ... but we'd have to survive it.

[workaphilic]

[He grins a little to himself.]

Minor detail.

[ectobabble]

[Ray laughs. he swears, every single thing out of your mouth reminds him even more of Egon]

'Course. I mean ... we've made it this far, right?

[workaphilic]

Precisely. [He tilts his head at the meter.] No risk, no reward, isn't that how the saying goes?

[ectobabble]

Somethin' like that! ... That, and -- oh, T.S Eliot put it a great way, once. "Only those who risk going too far will know how far they can go." It's probably not exact, but -- I always liked that one.

[workaphilic]

[There is a complete lack of recognition on his face and in his tone. Who the fuck is T.S. Eliot and why should he care what he has to say?]

The logic isn't completely sound, but it fits, I suppose.