Page 59 - Mousumi

chamber. When Mr. Vaken opened the half door of the
chamber, he found that Mr. Shemp was sitting on a moving

chair, in his one hand there was a candle and in another hand,
there was Mr. Vaken’s old photograph. Mr. Vaken had not

seen this part of the villa before. Around him, the darkness
was absolute and the silence oppressive. A spider web was

tangled up with him. There was a lot of mud on the ground.
Shemp’s eyes were as red as blood, his nails were two inches
long, his face was covered with long curly hair and he was

wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Without noticing Mr. Vaken, he
ignited Mr. Vaken’s photograph. One could see flames

shooting up into the air.

As Mr. Vaken was getting in, he slipped and fell as there was
olive oil onto ceramic tile floor but he had a soft landing on
some cushions. Mr. Shemp noticed his friend’s presence and

removed his hat as a sign of belligerence. He burst out
laughing at Mr. Vaken’s fall.

MR. VAKEN: How you can become a ghost, Shemp? What you

want? Your tantrums are annoying me, I beg you, don’t trouble
us.

MR. SHEMP: Mend your ways, my bestie. I am here for a
purpose.

In the meanwhile, a ring at the doorbell announced the late
arrival of Mrs. Vaken and Renzia from the supermarket. Mr.

Vaken was the only one in the house. So, he had to answer the
doorbell. He requested Shemp to remain in his chamber and

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