Carmine's challenge

Posted on Thu Jul 2nd, 2020 @ 4:31pm by Level 3 Carmine Mannarino
Edited on on Sat Aug 15th, 2020 @ 12:42am

Mission: It's... A Bus Station
Location: Ghostbuster station The Bronx New York New York
Timeline: April 28th 2020

“Mannarino! Come here please?” The second in command of the Bronx station said as a group came in from a day out on calls. Carmine Mannarino was tired and sore. The last poltergeist had been swatting them around like toys. But they finally got it.

“Yo!” Carmine called out as he followed the man into a makeshift office. The man gestured to a chair and Carmine sat down right away.

“Tough bust?” He asked Carmine.

“Put up a fight. We got him.” Carmine replied.

"Good." The second in charge nodded and leaned forward. “Carmine, I have something important to speak to you about.”

“‘Bout what?” The man said back in his thick Bronx accent.

“we’d like you to move to a new station.” The man said, acting a nervous as a skater on thin ice.

“Why?” Carmine asked him. Instantly the Italian American began to get mad. He loved it here. Everyone knew that. They had tired to move him to Philly years back and Carmine fought it the whole time, until they dropped the subject.

“We feel it’s time.” The man told Carmine.

“Where?” Carmine asked, as his eyes began to quint, giving the next in line the message he wasn't liking what he was hearing. He loved the Bronx. Hell, he was raised just a few blocks from here. Arthur ave was close, as was his grandparents home. The Bronx had been his life for years now. This station had been his life for just as long.

“North carolina. It’s south of New York.”

“Like, outside da city? But...I do good work. I’m always available, except on date night. And when the kids have things going on.” Carmine was floored. He was sure after fourteen years, this was the end.

The second in charge sighed. If Carmine got angry and punches flew, the Bronx native would win the fight. But he wanted Carmine thinking, not reacting. “Carmine, You met the founders, right?”

Carmine thought about it, then shrugged. “Yeah. I Like three of em. Good guys, for eggheads.”

“This request comes from them. You know you are the only fourteen year vet who is a level three?”

“I do what I do and I’m happy! I haven’t made a mistake in years!”

“We know. We are impressed at your skill and commitment to the job. But the more technical of the four of them think that maybe you changing up your habits could help.”

Carmine stood up in a rush. His fists were balled up. “I need help?!? I’m the top buster in this station and the State!”

“Carmine, you have fourteen years in this business. Fourteen years you have hidden in the back and not tried to rise up.” The man took a calm breath. “So they want you to go to North Carolina. Even if it is just for a few months. They want someone with years of practice to teach the newbies. Hell, they need someone with your experience in dealing with ghosts to teach new people. They want to see if you can stop being a follower. Be a leader of small teams. You know the job. Prove it.”

“I know my job! No ego, but I’m one of the tops!”

The man had hoped to get him here. The last time they failed because no one challenged him. They tired to force him One thing Carmine was known for was taking on a challenge. “Then prove it!” He practically shouted at the bigger man, as he stood up. “If you’re so darn good, then you going down there and showing the new kids how to be a ghostbuster should be nothing. Unless you’re too chicken to prove yourself. Or maybe you got to be at the top by luck and riding other people's success.”

“I got here on my own!” Carmine yelled back.

“Prove it. Go there for six months then, if you’re so good. Go down, teach them how to Ghostbust. Then if you’re doing great, you can return, and prove to that you are one of our best!”

Carmine stood silent for a moment, thinking about it. The second in charge looked at him as he sat back down. "Talk to your wife tonight. IT's date night, right?"

"Yeah, her pick." Everyone at the Station knew about date night. The one night a week he wouldn't pick up even if it was an emergency.

"That means the jazz club." The other man said, Carmine nodded. "Then talk to her about this. She believes in you. We just need you to believe in you. But for now, go get that trap in the containment system, get a shower and get ready for your night off."