I'm glad you all are enjoying this story. The replies are great and very much appreciated. BTW. Happy Thanksgiving, guys!

Stave II: The First of the Spirits

Randy scanned the room once more before pulling the blankets high over his head. He half expected a ghostly glimmer to be hanging in the corners of his room. What was it that Claridge had said? The question tugged at Randy’s mind. “The first at one,” the answer rang in Randy’s mind.

“Humbug,” Randy’s response echoed around the bed chamber. Comforting himself with the belief that the ghostly visitors were a dream caused by a bad can of tuna fish, he pulled the blankets high over his head and settled in for a good night’s sleep. He was vaguely aware of the Grandfather’s clock as it chimed twelve, its comforting sound soon replaced by the rumbling nasal noises of Randy’s snores.

The minutes ticked by as the hour hand inched closer to the fated hour while Randy slept on in relative peace. Finally, the hour hand reached its destination and the clock chimed. If Randy had been awake, he would have been blinded by the flash of light that illumined the room, heralding the arrival of three visitors.

The light penetrated the shadows and traveled along the depths of the blankets, dimly teasing the eyelids of the slumbering Randy. As Randy began to stir, a hand drew back the blankets from his face. Opening his eyes, he found himself face to face with the unearthly specter. They were as close to one another as I am to you now, and I stand near enough to whisper this story in your ear.

It was a strange sight that met Randy’s eyes. The specter was dressed in white with flowing white hair and beard. For a second, Randy thought, perhaps, he was staring at a poster of an Old World Santa that seemed to pepper the cards and advertisements of the season. Despite his seemingly advanced years, his eyes were a youthful brilliant blue and filled with the wisdom of the ages. Randy trembled as he edged away from the being, trying to squelch the fear that rose in his stomach. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“The one Claridge told you would come.” The voice was a deep baritone filled with kindness. Yet, there was an underlying tone that spoke of a man use to total obedience from his audience.

The memories Randy had thought a dream came flooding back. “So you are the first spirit to visit? And what are you a ghost of?”

“I am the ghost of Christmas past.”

“Well that tells me a lot.” Randy quipped. Remember, he is not one to waste anything, especially time. He was beginning to feel that this whole event was a colossal waste of not only time, but sleep. “The past could be any thing from the beginning of time to five seconds ago. So how far in the past are we talking about here?”

The spirit rolled his eyes. This was not going to be easy. “I am the ghost of your past, Randy.”

“Oh,” Randy replied. He quickly scanned the room. “Are you alone? I thought D said something about a surveillance team the would accompany you.”

“He did, and they have.” The spirit stepped aside to reveal the couple that would accompany him on his visit. They stood side by side, the man clutching the rule book in his hand.

Randy’s eyes widened and he groaned. “Oh this is just great!” he sighed loudly.

More later
Kim

A glimpse in Randy's past ? Waiting ....

I wonder what is in Randy's past....

I'm with you...

Randys past huh? This could be very interesting.

Frantically catching up now that life has slowed down. This is amazing!

kav

Me too Lin

his past is gonna be interesting

wonder who is with him?

that's soo randy... i can't wait.... to see what happens next. randy's past should be very interesting.
UPDATE SOON.

I don't know if I want to know about Randy's past...He's so miserly and soulless and a horrible childhood could have been the reason why.

But I'm still curious.

this is great, i can't wait how randy...became the randy that he is now

Stave II, cont.

“That’s right, Mate,” Bobby grinned. “Tara and I are your surveillance team for this visit.”

Randy turned to face the ghost. “I want new agents assigned to this,” he demanded.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do that,” the ghost replied.

“Then I refuse to take part.” Randy pouted. He sat back on the bed and crossed his arms. If they thought he was taking part in this foolishness, they were sadly mistaken.

“Sorry, Randy. You have no choice,” Tara replied. “It’s right here in the rule book. And we all know what a stickler you are for the rules.” Tara couldn’t help but role her eyes.

Randy stood up with a heavy sigh. “All right, let’s just get this over with.”

The spirit led the way over to the window. “Now Randy, take hold of my cloak. You have but to touch it gently and you will be safe.”

“I can’t go out that way!” Randy spat. “We are on the second floor. If I step out of that window I will fall and break something.”

“Preferable his neck,” Bobby quipped.

Tara’s elbow caught him in the midsection as the ghost turned his brilliant blue eyes to the surveillance team. “Please refrain from the editorial comments, Mr. Manning. Now Randy, come along. We are wasting precious minutes here.”

Randy nodded mutely and but touched the sleeve of the spirit’s cloak. In the blink of an eye, they were through the window and standing on a street in a middle class neighborhood in Virginia. The buildings looked much the same as they did today. The cars parked along the street, however, gave a hint to the decade they had just entered. The street was dotted with brand new models, fresh off the designer’s drawing board with the names of Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Impala. They were large metal chariots, the likes of which had never been imagined. If we look closely at the poster hanging frayed and windblown on the lamp post, we can just make out the date: December, 1970.

“I know this place,” Randy whispered. As he closed his eyes, a small tear edged its way between the lashes. This place held powerful memories of both good and bad.

“Are you okay, Randy?” Tara asked as she noted the tear beginning to trickle down his cheek. He seemed so small and frightened standing there. She made a move to reach for the man who had been the bane of the team’s existence. Her progress was halted by a ghostly hand.

“You are here to watch and offer input when asked. Nothing more, young lady.” His voice was firm, but his eyes were kind. “He must carry these burdens on his own if he is to come out on the other side as we hope.”

Tara nodded and returned to her place beside Bobby. Bobby pulled her close and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “It’s okay, luv.”

The spirit turned his attention to his charge. “What of this place, Randy?”

“I grew up here. This is my street.” Randy strained to see in the distance. He could just make out the park down the street and the tree on the small hill he had used as a refuge time and again. He smiled an excited smile.

“Do you remember the way?” the ghost asked.

“Do I! I could make it there blindfolded,” Randy grinned.

“Well, then. Lead on, Randy. Lead on,” the spirit smiled.

More later
Kim

I wonder what shadows Randy is going to see from his past?

Kim, this is hysterical! I just caught, and I am loving this! I am currently reading A Christmas Carol for school...you're doinga wonderful job! I won't be able to read that book the same way ever again. now, about Randy's past.....
~Cristy

I have to say, I was a little shocked when I read that Randy had actually let a tear slip by. It seems so unlike his stoic, unfeeling, unimaginative, impersonal character. I wonder what will happen next...

Maybe by the time Randy gets through all this he won't be so "randy like"

Em

This is getting interesting....

can't wait to see what happens next

cath

There has to be something grim in his past to make him the way he is now.

kav

yep maybe now we all ca see why he is so mean...he must have got it from his family...or as an escape from life or something

/just caught up on his on Kim...

You're doing such an amazing job with writing the charater of Randy...very realistic.

I can't wait to see what things you have to reveal to us about Randy's past.

Please post more soon!

BLT

Kim, I'm so behind on all these Christmas stories!!!

An amazing start, and a fantastic idea!!!

Jen

This story is getting more and more interesting...

Ornella

Randy's past? I won't even speculate ... I will just wait patiently

: that was great but randy must have a very guilty secret
cant wait to hear about his past more soon please Kim
Lin

Randy's past is going to be interesting to read!

Thanks for the replies. They are wonderful. I hope this next little bit makes sense. The part of the story in italics is the scene from the past.

Stave II, cont.

In a moment, Randy and the trio were standing in the middle of a marvelous park. The swings were new. The slides were colorful. It was a wonderful place for a child to play and his imagination to grow. Randy gasped as he saw the form of himself as a child sitting under the tree, sobs racking the little shoulders.

“Don’t worry, Randy,” the spirit whispered. “We are but unseen visitors in this place. Go ahead. Take a closer look.”

Randy hesitantly made his way up the small hill and stood on the opposite side of the tree from his former self. His heart ached for the ache he remember he had felt that day. “I had almost forgotten,” he whispered when he saw the dog tags clutched in the little hand.

“What is it, Mate?” Bobby asked. He was suddenly concerned for the man he had grown to dislike over the years.

Randy stared blankly at the trio assembled before him. The hurt he felt was as fresh as it had been thirty-five years before. He turned back to the scene before him and closed his eyes.

“Tell them, Randy,” the ghost whispered. “Tell them the story.”

“My dad was a Major in the Marine Corps and we were stationed here at Quantico from the time I was three years old. I was a scrawny little kid with a horrible stutter. The other kids on the base teased me unmercifully. As I grew older, the teasing became physical assaults. I never seemed to be able to defend myself despite Dad’s desperate attempts to teach me to stand up for myself. I could see the disappointment in his eyes each time I came home with a black eye and torn trousers. ‘Don’t worry about it, Randy. I’ve got your back,’ is all he would say. But I could see the disappointment in his eyes. I vowed that one day, I would take that disappointment away. I would become the tough man my Dad wanted. My heart ached to be a tough little boy with fists of stone, but my body just wouldn’t cooperate.” Randy lowered his head in shame at the memories came flooding back.

“I turned ten years old during the summer of 1970. A month after my birthday, Dad announced that his unit was being shipped out to Vietnam. Because of the bullying I received by the kids on base, he and Mom had decided it would be better for me if I went to school off base during his tour of duty. I was upset that Dad would be leaving, but excited that I would be away from my tormentors as I started a new school. But things were even worse off base. The war protests had really heated up. When the kids at school learned my dad was a Marine in Vietnam, I became the target of more teasing and fights. To be honest, we were too young to understand any of the propaganda surrounding the war. The other kids were just reacting to what they saw on television or heard their parents say. It was a tough time. I don’t think I would have survived if it hadn’t been for…” Randy turned back to the little boy sitting under the tree. Then, he saw the little blonde haired girl come sprinting up the hill towards his younger self. He recognized her in an instant. “…Cassie.”

Randy and his three companions stood in silence as the scene from Randy’s childhood unfolded before them…

“There you are Randy. I’ve been looking every where for you.”

“Go away and leave me alone, Cassie.” The sadness in little Randy’s voice touched them to their very souls.

“I heard about your dad, Randy. I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?” Cassie’s voice was soft and full of compassion. I reminded the surveillance team of someone very near and dear to their hearts.

“No!” little Randy declared. “There is nothing anyone can do. My Dad is dead and nothing can bring him back.” Cassie’s heart, along with the hearts of the observers broke as Randy’s body shook from the angry sobs coming from his throat.

“Talk to me, Randy. It might make you feel better,” Cassie’s reply was almost a whisper, but filled with sincerity.

“I promised that one day I would be tough, make the disappointment disappear from his eyes. Now it doesn’t matter. He won’t be there to watch me become tough. He won’t be there to ‘have my back’ anymore.”

“Yes, he will Randy.” Cassie reached over and pulled the dog tags from Randy’s hand. She took a moment to read the name deeply engraved on the metal tags…Phillip Randall Pitts. She placed the chain around Randy’s neck. “He will be right here, watching over you every step of the way, Randy. And I promise to have your back, Randy. Always.”

It was at that moment that young Randy decided he would be tough. He would remove the disappointment from his father’s eyes, even if he could only see those eyes in his dreams. If he couldn’t become tough physically, then he would just have to figure out how to become tough in other ways.

“Cassie was special,” the ghost whispered.

“Yes,” Randy whispered. There was a wistful look in his eyes as he turned from the scene.

“This wasn’t the last time that little shelia was there for you was it, Mate,” Bobby asked, somehow knowing the answer.

“No, it wasn’t.” Randy felt the tears prickle his eyes as he struggled for control over his emotions. “Is that all you have to show me, spirit,” Randy demanded. “A single Christmas from thirty-five years ago?”

“No, Randy. There are a few more stops on our journey tonight,” the ghost responded kindly. There was a knowing gleam in his eye as he watched Randy fidget under his gaze. Something in this memory had touched Randy’s soul. It was a beginning.

“Then let us proceed. We are wasting time watching this drivel.” Randy snapped. The moment was gone. The glimpse of the Randy that might have been slipped into the shadows of the Randy that was.

More later
Kim

It seems strange to feel sympathy for any form of Randy but I do....

Yea me, too...

The same here.
Poor little Randy... Mind you, I wrote "little Randy"! I'm not going to cry for the "grown up Randy"! But then again, it is Kim who's writing and I'm sure she'll be able to make me feel sorry even for that excuse of a man!

Great job, Kim.
Ornella

one way i'm feeling so sad for randy....and then there he is again, the mean randy....but i know deep down inside he can be sweet....i hope

Another lovely scene Kim....

I agree Kaci...its hard to feel sorry for Randy, but I guess all things are possible.

Please post more soon Kim!

BLT

Awwwwww...Poor little Randy-of-35-years-ago. I see a bit of why he's how he is. This is sad! You're doing a wonderful job.
~Cristy

yes me too Lin

Great job Kim.

a small glimse in to randy's past. i'm sure cassie will appear again... she seems special to randy...
UPDATE SOON.

great job, i felt so sad for little randy

cath

Pure poetry. And so packed with understanding. Everyone has a history that makes up who they are -- if only we could get that kind of glimpse into the people we deal with on a daily basis!

kav

I would have to agree with you two...

to guys. i feel kind of sorry for Randy too.

Stave II, cont.

In the blink of an eye, Randy and the trio found themselves standing in the Hoover building. A brightly decorates bullpen drew them in. It was filled with desks piled with files and calculators. Each person was bent over a desk, hurriedly adding columns of numbers and writing the results in an ever growing ledger. Randy’s eyes immediately fell on the younger version of himself seated near the back of the office. He was diligently working on a stack of expense sheets, his fingers flying over the calculator. An older gentleman stopped by the desk to spend a moment in conversation with the younger Randy.

“Why it’s Mr. Stephens!” Randy exclaimed. He turned to face the trio behind him. His eyes were filled with excitement. “He was my first supervisor here at the Bureau. The ink was barely dry on my degree in accounting, yet he took me on his team, teaching me the ropes and so much more.”

“Okay people, it’s Christmas Eve. Let’s knock off early. These end-of-the-year expense reports will still be here on December 26th. But, before we go, let’s have some Christmas cheer.” Mr. Stephens mellow voice caught the visitors’ attention.

“I remember this so well.” Randy smiled. Soon, the Randy was as caught up in the Christmas festivities as his younger self. He was laughing at the jokes long since forgotten. He could almost taste the Christmas punch that Mr. Stephens wife had prepared and sent over. His heart was momentarily filled with the Christmas spirit.

“But Randy,” the ghost groaned. “This is such a spectacular waste of time. Look at all those reports that need attention. Mr. Stephens was a fool to let you have such merriment when there was so much work left to do.”

Randy spun on his heels to face the spirit. There was a passionate fire raging in his eyes as he came to the defense of his beloved supervisor. “How can you say that? This man, this wonderful man held our happiness in his hands on a daily basis. He gave us time to enjoy our lives outside of the office. He handed us joy each time he praised our work, each time he gave us extra time off. Because of that, we respected him and gave him our best. In my line of thinking, that is not a waste of…” Randy’s voice faded as the light began to dawn on him. A fleeting shadow passed over his face. It was a shadow of regret that did not go unnoticed by the ghost nor the surveillance team.

“Regretting something there, Mate?” Bobby questioned.

“No! Yes.” Randy said as he lowered his head. “I wish I had remembered the kindness shown to me by Mr. Stephens earlier in the day. I could have offered the same gift of happiness to another team today.”

The ghost smiled. Progress had been made. There was still a long way to go, but the journey of a lifetime begins with a single step. “Shall we go?” he asked.

Randy gave him a puzzled look. “Where? Are you returning me to my bed?”

The ghost chuckled softly. “No, not yet. There is one more stop to make before my visit with you is finished.”

More later
Kim

I'm not sure if I am feeling sorry for Randy, exactly, but you sure have me feeling like I understand him better.

looks like we're gettinmg some where.... one step at a time... randy will get there...
UPDATE SOON.

Randy is really getting to reflect on his life isnt he?!

intersting post there and that he realised how things could have been different

cath

Do you think Randy had a moment?

kav

yep i think he had one

I feel sad too for little Randy ... till wonder what changed him since he had a first good supervisor

I agree Lin

Puzzling isn't it!!

Sam