Victory Road IC Inbox

[pkemeter]

"You have reached Dr. Egon Spengler. Please leave a message, preferably fifty words or less."

Comments

[pkemeter]

[Egon winces slightly when Venkman gets kicked in the stomach.]

I warned you. [A pause as he glances over his shoulder towards Kölliker, who has apparently taken immense interest in what is happening onscreen.] Please do not swear in front of the children.

[It's...not like he can attempt to cover her ears when she literally doesn't have ears.]

Nevertheless, excellent. Perhaps you have a future as a Pokémon rehabilitator. [The corner of his mouth twitches upwards.] Are you sure you're all set for money? You'll need new supplies eventually. I can send you some when the paycheck comes through.

[It's nice not having to rely on client availability for your income for a change.]

[neverstudied]

Oh, my bad, Spengs, for swearing in front of the embryo when I just got hit in the stomach. This is how Houdini died, you know.

[The Pokeball finally stops wriggling and makes a quiet "click" noise. Venkman sighs in relief, putting the Pokeball down and rubbing his face with one hand. After a moment, he picks the Pokegear up so he can see Egon again.]

Yeah, yeah. I still don't want to get a job, but I guess it could be useful.

[At least basic knowledge of Pokemon medicine and restraint would be a world of help right now.]

... I would maybe kind of appreciate that. Yeah. Thanks.

[He had plans to con a hotel or inn into letting him stay the night but now he's got an injured baby deer to worry about, throwing an added wrench in his plans.]

[pkemeter]

...I thought Houdini had died from either appendicitis. Or after he was forcibly taken by several malevolent spirits that disliked him tampering with their work.

[He inclines his head towards the camera, frowning a little bit.]

I'm sorry, the signal here seems somewhat weak. Do you mind repeating that again?

[It's absolutely impossible to tell if he genuinely is asking Venkman to repeat himself or is just holding it over Venkman's head right now.]

[neverstudied]

Houdini had this thing about having a stomach of iron and being able to take any blow. But some idiot gut-punched him when he was lying down and unprepared, and it aggravated his appendicitis to the point of killing him.

[Egon has his fungus knowledge. Venkman has circus, carnival, and magician-themed trivia. Obviously, they're equally useful.]

He didn't die because of ghosts, but we did have to deal with his ghost, once. Uh, with the other Egon.

... I said I'd appreciate it. You dick.

[pkemeter]

Oh?

[The smallest hint of a smile can be seen on Spengler's face.]

In that case, I will send you about six thousand Pokédollars next Friday. Hopefully, that should be enough to last you until you get to Saffron City.

...However, I am intrigued by this information. How on Earth did you manage to determine that the ghost was, in fact, Houdini's, and not another ghost impersonating him?

[ghost identity theft is a thing probably]

[neverstudied]

Thanks, Egie. Love ya.

[He says it a little too fast and dismissively, but he means it.]

I guess he didn't really look much like Houdini, but he only manifested when some two-bit poser magician stole his stuff for his own act. Plus, he could escape the ghost traps.