GHOSTLY GALLERY

by Unknown Author

Originally appearing in Haunted Love issue 4 in 1973.

How would you like to spend your vacation in a haunted castle? People spend a lot of money going to different places. Some will go to Africa on a Safari. Others will join a mountain climbing group and head out to the state of Washington. Some want to do some surfboard riding and, hence, fly to Hawaii. And, there are those who go to Las Vegas. They want a fling at gambling. What is essential is that many people want a bit of excitement when they take a vacation. So, Jim Davis sends for me.

"Ben," he begins. "I got a great idea. Remember the movie called "Ghost Gallery produced by Joseph Manlowizy: The castle he used for it isn't in England or Scotland. It happens to be right here in the good old United States. It seems that a certain millionaire bought the castle abroad. Had it taken down stone by stone. His idea was to erect it out West. Manlowizy bought it at a sale in an auction and had it assembled out West. I bought it."

"You did what?" I snapped at him. Jim Davis can do anything that will make a buck, but it must be legitimate.

"I bought a real haunted castle," he grins at me, "and you, Ben Maruss, will be the host. Think of it. The bellboys will be dressed in white as ghosts. The waitresses will be dressed as witches. We fly them out to the castle. We'll have a swimming pool with goblins all around."

"You must be nuts to think people will fall for it," I said to him. "But since you pay me a salary, it is ok with me."

Know something? By the time he was through with his advertisements, we were overbooked. It looked like an enjoyable lark. We had tape recorders set up so that you could hear moans through the castle and then screams from time to time. We had concealed light projectors to give the right eerie touch to all of this. So, I met Eileen Kelly. She was sent by "Vacation Magazine" to cover this castle.

Before the first day was over, a knight in armor fell; and the sword he held in his hand almost killed one of our guests. "A ghost did it," screamed a middle-aged woman. "I saw him push that armor over." This wasn't in the script, but it did help to heighten the atmosphere. The next day at lunch, the big chandelier crashed down again, almost killing a guest.

"I saw a ghost push it down from the ceiling," said an old man. "I swear I saw the ghost."

Again, this wasn't in the script. I was a bit bothered. That night, we heard some terrifying moaning; and it didn't come from our hidden tape recorders. I bumped into Eileen Kelly.

"You look worried," she said to me. "Anything wrong? Jim Davis filled me in on your set-up."

"Well, what's happening isn't in our set-up," I told her. "I don't know what it is. But, I have an uneasy feeling that there are some unexplained forces at work here."

The following evening was one without a moon or even a star in the sky. I was out in the garden with Eileen Kelly when suddenly we saw this shadowy figure in front of us.

"You two are destined for each other," it said, "realize it now before it is too late. Your love has crossed the boundary of centuries—defied Death itself."

She let out with one big scream and landed right into my protective arms. That was real. Nothing was fake about it at all. For the next week, we had a lot of things that didn't make sense. But, our guests indeed were scared. They all had a swell time of that. They left, and the next group came; Eileen Kelly told me the news.

"The magazine suggested I take my vacation right here. Any objections?"

"None at all," I said. "In two weeks, Jim Davis is coming out here. I have to go back to the city to take care of some important business deals. Come back with me, and let's get married."

So, we were married, which should be the end of it. But it just isn't. Because half a year later, her uncle, Professor Thomas Danton, came to see the two of us.

"In this book, which is a present to both of you, you will find the records of history as it affects both of you. I know all about that haunted castle from Jim Davis. But in the year 1453, one of your ancestors, Ben, fell in love with a beautiful girl from our family. They could not marry because of a family feud. She died of a broken heart. He went to war and was killed. Now, you two go figure it out."

END