#scarsdale

"Okay.. that felt wrong" Earl says looking shaken "Like dragging a grave's shadow..."

Hisssssssssssssss.

They are in Zara's parents' yard

And Jeff says "Wow I thought i saw colors"

"Is Jeff still with us?" Earl asks his hissing beloved

She stamps her foot, indignant.

"That woman! To tie me against my will!"

"You! To do so, after I kindly helped you!"

"To take, when I gave!"

"Oh. wait" Jeff says "it's temporary "

"The callow lack of decorum! The contempt! The insult!"

Jeff hides behind Earl.

"i'm sorry" He says hiding

Huff!

Earl nods "It was very rude"

"She's mad at me" JEff tells Earl who cannot hear him "You got some chocolates? "

"I shall not be placated with candy!"

"I never said anything about " Then Earl sighs "Jeff is 'helping' isn't he?"

HUFF.

"Sorry! I told her I was worried I'd not get back to scarsdale and you guys might be going but what if I fell behind and.." Jeff rambles

"You could have asked!"

"I wanted to ..surprise you? It's the first ghostly power I did' Jeff says

GLARE.

"Sorry. I don't know how to do the others stuff"

Earl notes the glare, and guesses Jeff's direction "Jeff, if you haven't apologized already, you need to start"

"I did" He protests

"You should know not to take without asking. Other people are people."

"I'm sorry, you're right. I guess being dead has me feeling rather confused and I never claimed to be the most sensitive fellow to begin with. Would.. would you like me to remove it early?" Jeff offers

"Yes!" A beat. "Please." She amends.

Manners.

"Of course, and I do apologize. Your'e right. you've been a lifeline and I abused that. " He touches her shoulder, and she feels a decoupling "I think I'm near some other feters here" He looks around "Gee, Scarsdale looks so gray and faded from this side of things."

"Aye... you are dead."

"Perhaps seek your parents?"

"Yeah. I'll head off now. Please tell Earl I said thank you for the trip? And thanks to you too. I hope to get to heaven or wahtever, but if I am still around let me know if you need a pair of uh ghostly eyes? and I'll be there"

"Aye. And Madame Grey does like herself some wraithly company, if you linger."

"..The.. ah... spooky lady who runs the antique shop."

"Yeah? Thank you" he says "I guess I should go. Happy .. geez.. Happy November?"

"It is. Shalom, Mister Whitmore."

"Shalom, Miss Schwartz" And "Ah,Shalom Earl!" A sigh "he still can't hear me"

And off Jeff goes

Earl waits, then says "Jeff, I do wihs you well, but in the future , please respect the privacy of --" Unaware Jeff is gone

"He's gone, love. For now. Mm. This was not the plan, but mayhaps Mama has dinner?"

"Actually" he says "it was the plan. Soon as I saw how angry you were getting, I figured some home cooking might soothe your nerves. And even more important.. I thought if we took him to Scarsdale" he lowers his voice"We could be rid of him"

Huff. But Earl gets a kiss.

A kiss back. He does not dare gloat at his success. he knows better. But he does dare a pleased with himself look

Still, a bap on his arm. And she goes to the kitchen door. "Mama, we're here.."

"oh my!" A rush of activities at this surprise visit, this wonderful surprise visit!

Earl gets told he has to remember to get Zara to EAT or she'll starve ..and why is HE so skinny? Oh that will be fixed tonight!

And soon they're being spoiled rotten

Zara is mollified.