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EXT. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY -- DAY.
Venkman, Stantz and Spengler head for their lab in Weaver Hall. Spengler
makes rapid calculations as Venkman and Stantz argue.
VENKMAN (steamed)
"Get her?" That was your whole plan? You call that science?
STANTZ (exultant)
I guess I got a little overexcited. Wasn't it incredible! I'm telling you,
this is a
first. You know what this could mean to the University?
VENKMAN (sarcastic)
Oh, yeah. This could be bigger than the microchip. They'll probably throw
out
the entire engineering department and turn their building over to us. We're
probably the first serious scientists to ever molest a dead old lady.
SPENGLER (consulting his mini-computer)
I wouldn't say the experience was completely wasted. Based on these new
readings, I think we have an excellent chance of actually catching a ghost
and
holding it indefinitely.
Venkman stops dead in his tracks, stunned by the news. Stantz and Spengler
continue walking.
STANTZ (to Spengler; excited)
Then we were right! This is great. And if the ionization rate is constant
for all
ectoplasmic entities, I think we could really kick ass -- in the spiritual
sense.
Venkman catches up with them again.
VENKMAN
Spengler, are you serious about actually catching a ghost?
SPENGLER
I'm always serious.
VENKMAN (his mind reeling at the possibilities)
Wow!
EXT. WEAVER HALL -- A LITTLE LATER
They approach the entrance to the psychology department talking excitedly.
Venkman stops at the door and turns to Spengler.
VENKMAN
Egon, I take back everything I ever said about you. Take this.
(he hands him a candy bar)
You earned it.
They enter the building with Spengler greedily devouring the candy bar.
INT. WEAVER HALL -- DAY
They walk through the hall, then down the stairs to the basement.
VENKMAN (his mind racing)
If you guys are right, if we can actually trap a ghost and hold it somehow,
I
think I could win the Nobel Prize.
STANTZ (protests)
If anyone deserves it, it's Spengler and me. We're doing all the hard research
and designing the equipment.
VENKMAN
Yeah, but I introduced you guys. You never would've met if not for me.
That's
got to be worth something.
INT. THE BASEMENT -- DAY
A Workman in painter pants is at the door as Venkman, Stantz and Spengler
approach and enter the lab. As soon as the door closes behind them, the
Workman starts scraping their names off the door with a razor blade.
INT. THE LAB -- DAY
As they enter, janitorial and maintenance personnel are busy dismantling
their
apparatus and equipment. DEAN YAEGER is supervising. Venkman
confronts him.
VENKMAN (shocked)
I trust you're moving us to a better space somewhere on campus.
DEAN YAEGER
No, we're moving you OFF CAMPUS. The Board of Regents has decided to
terminate your grant. You are to vacate these premises immediately.
VENKMAN
This is preposterous! I demand an explanation.
DEAN YAEGER
Fine. This University will no longer continue any funding of any kind for
your
group's activities.
VENKMAN
But why? The students love us!
DEAN YAEGER
Dr. Venkman, we believe that the purpose of science is to serve mankind.
You, however, seem to regard science as some kind of "dodge" or "hustle."
Your theories are the worst kind of popular tripe, your methods are sloppy
and your conclusions are highly questionable. You're a poor scientist,
Dr.
Venkman, and you have no place in this department or in this University.
VENKMAN
I see.
STANTZ (to Venkman)
You said you floored 'em at the Regents' meeting.
VENKMAN (righteous)
Ray, I apologize. (looking at Dean Yaeger)
I guess my confidence in the Regents was misplaced. They did this to Galileo,
too.
DEAN YAEGER
It could be worse, Dr. Venkman. They took the astronomer Phileas and
staked his head to the town gate.
EXT. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY -- DAY -- A LITTLE LATER
Stantz and Venkman are sitting on a bench both looking desolate.
STANTZ (shaking his head)
This is like a major disgrace. Forget M.I.T. or Stanford now ... they wouldn't
touch us with a three-meter cattle prod.
VENKMAN
You're always so worried about your reputation. We don't need the
University. Einstein did his best stuff while he was working as a patent
clerk.'They can't stop progress.
STANTZ (not cheered)
Do you know what a patent clerk makes? I liked the University. They gave
us
money, they gave us the facilities and we didn't have to produce anything!
I've
worked in the private sector. They expect results. You've never been out
of
college. You don't know what it's like out there.
VENKMAN (with visionary zeal)
Let me tell you, Ray, everything in life happens for a reason. Call it
fate, call it
luck, Karma, whatever. I think we were destined to get kicked out of there.
STANTZ
For what purpose?
VENKMAN (with real conviction)
To go into business for ourselves.
Stantz is immediately intrigued by the idea but voices his reservations.
STANTZ
I don't know. That costs money. And the ecto-containment system we have
in
mind will require a load of bread to capitalize. Where would we get the
money?
EXT. WIDE ANGLE VIEW OF MANHATTAN -- DAY
EXT. AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS -- DAY
Venkman, Stantz and Spengler emerge from the Irving Trust headquarters,
all
neatly dressed in suits.
VENKMAN
You'll never regret this, Ray.
STANTZ (perturbed)
My parents left me that house, I was born there.
VENKMAN
You're not going to lose the house. Everybody has three mortgages these
days.
STANTZ
But at nineteen percent interest! You didn't even bargain with the guy.
SPENGLER (calculating)
Just for your information, Ray, the interest payments alone for the first
five
years come to over $75,000.
VENKMAN
Will you guys relax? We are on the threshold of establishing the indispensable
defense science of the next decade - Professional Paranormal Investigations
and Eliminations. The franchise rights alone will make us wealthy beyond
your
wildest dreams.
STANTZ
But most people are afraid to even report these things.
VENKMAN
Maybe. But no one ever advertised before.
Stantz and Spengler exchange doubtful looks.
EXT. FIREHALL -- DAY
An abandoned brick, four-story fire station built by the city around the
turn of
the century. It bears a coat of faded red paint and legend above the garage
door in chipped gilt letters: Engine Company #93. The garage doors open
revealing Venkman standing in the white-tiled garage bay with a middle
aged
REAL ESTATE WOMAN wearing a blazer.
INT. GARAGE BAY -- DAY
Venkman is looking around.
R/E WOMAN
Besides this, you've got another substantial work area on the ground floor,
office space, sleeping quarters and showers on the next floor, and you
have
your full kitchen on the top level. It's 10,000 square feet total.
SPENGLER
He comes out of the office area with a pocket calculator.
SPENGLER
It's 9,642.55 square feet.
The Realtor frowns at Spengler.
R/E WOMAN
What is he -- your accountant?
STANTZ
He is looking at the shiny brass fire pole.
STANTZ (shouts, loving it)
Wow! Does this pole still work?
VENKMAN (considering but not wanting to appear too eager)
This might do ... I don't know ... it just seems kind of "pricey" for a
fixer-upper, don't you think? We're trying to keep our costs down. You
know
how it is when you're starting a new company.
R/E WOMAN
Yes, I know. What are you calling your business?
STANTZ
Ghostbusters.
R/E WOMAN
Oh, well, this place is perfect for it.
EXT. UPPER WEST SIDE -- DAY
A high panoramic view of the city shows heavy traffic moving up and down
Central Park West on a beautiful sunny day.
EXT. 78th AND CENTRAL PARK WEST -- DAY
An unusual pre-war Gothic high-rise towers over the neighborhood buildings.
The top of the building includes an elaborate decorative temple, complete
with
altar, stairs and Babylonian columns. The late afternoon sun gives the
structure
an oddly menacing quality. The camera PANS slowly down to the street as
DANA BARRETT, an attractive woman in her late twenties, comes walking
up to the building carrying a cello case and a shopping bag full of groceries.
Guys on the street check her out as she enters, but she coolly ignores
them.
INT. HIGH-RISE APARTMENT BUILDING -- LOBBY -- DAY
Dana crosses the lobby and gets into the elevator.
INT. THIRTY FIFTH FLOOR -- DAY
Dana gets off the elevator and goes to the door of her apartment. As she
unlocks it, the door to the next apartment opens and Dana's neighbor, LOUIS
TULLY, peeks his head out the door. Louis is a shy nerd, hopelessly in
love
with Dana.
LOUIS
Oh, Dana, it's you ...
DANA (she's seen this before)
Hi, Louis.
LOUIS
... I thought it was the drug store.
DANA
Are you sick, Louis? Louis has broken the ice. He confidently exits his
apartment and approaches Dana. His door slams behind him as he leaves.
LOUIS
Oh, no, I feel great. I just ordered some more vitamins. I see you were
exercising. So was I. I taped "20 Minute Workout" and played it back at
high
speed so it only took ten minutes and I got a really good workout. You
wanna
have a mineral water with me?
DANA
No thanks, Louis. I'm really tired. I've been rehearsing all morning.
LOUIS
Okay. I'll take a raincheck. I always have plenty of mineral water and
other
nutritious health foods, but you know that. Listen, that reminds me, I'm
having
a party for all my clients. It's gonna be my fourth anniversary as an accountant.
I know you fill out your own tax return, but I'd like you to come being
that
you're my next door neighbor and all ...
DANA
Oh, that's nice, Louis. I'll stop by if I'm around.
LOUIS
You know you shouldn't leave your TV on so loud when you go out. That
creep down the hall phoned the manager.
DANA
I thought I turned it off.
(she listens and hears loud sound coming from inside)
I guess I forgot.
Dana begins unlocking her door.
LOUIS
I climbed on the window ledge to see if I could disconnect the cable but
I
couldn't reach so I turned up the sound on my TV real loud so they'd think
there was something wrong with everybody's TV. You know, you and I
should really have keys to each other's apartment ...
Her door closes leaving Louis stranded. He walks back to his apartment
muttering to himself.
LOUIS (CONT'D)
... in case of emergencies ... (he discovers he has locked himself out
of his
apartment) ... like this one.
DANA' S APARTMENT -- DAY
A roomy, two-bedroom flat with a great view of the park.
She leaves the cello in the entrance hall, grabs the bag of groceries and
goes
through the living room toward the kitchen.
Remembering Louis, she stops at the TV set to turn it off, but a strange
image
on the screen catches her attention.
TV SCREEN
INT. CHILDREN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Two children, a BOY and a GIRL, are asleep in bed when suddenly they are
awakened by supernatural moaning and groaning.
THE CHILDREN
They scream and jump out of bed.
THE DOOR
Their MOTHER and FATHER, rush in to find the children cowering against
the wall.
FATHER
What is it? What's wrong?
THE KIDS
Look!
They point at the closet.
MOTHER (to Father)
Oh, dear. It's that darn ghost again. Can't you do something about it.
FATHER (helpless)
I've tried everything, honey! I guess we'll just have to move.
The mother and the kids look at him with disappointment.
MOTHER
Gee, there must be a better way.
Stantz steps into the foreground.
STANTZ
Are you troubled by strange noises in the night? Do you experience feelings
of
dread in your basement or attic? Have you or your family actually seen
a
spook, specter or ghost? If the answer is yes, then don't wait another
minute.
Just pick up the phone and call the professionals -- Ghostbusters.
EXT. FIREHALL
Venkman, Stantz and Spengler are standing in front of the Ghostbusters'
sign.
Spengler steps forward.
SPENGLER (to camera)
Our courteous and efficient staff is on call 24 hours a day to serve all
your
supernatural elimination needs.
INT. RECEPTION AREA
Janine is seen answering the telephone with a
big fake smile on her face.
JANINE (cheery)
Ghostbusters. We'll be right there.
INT. CHILDREN'S BEDROOM
Spengler is taking PKE readings along the
baseboards. Stantz pops up from under the
bed.
STANTZ (smiling proudly)
Got him! I don't think you'll have any more
trouble with that ghost.
FATHER, MOTHER AND VENKMAN
They all look as pleased as punch as Venkman hands the Father a bill.
FATHER (looks at the total)
And it's economical, too!
MOTHER
How can we ever thank you?
VENKMAN (big, cheesy smile)
All in a day's work, ma'am. After all ... (to camera)
... We're Ghostbusters. (he winks)
EXT. FRONT DOOR
Mother, Father and Kids wave goodbye to the Ghostbusters.
THE FAMILY (sings)
If you have a ghost, But you don't want to play host, You can't sleep at
all, So
who do you call ... Ghostbusters - Ghostbusters.
VENKMAN, STANTZ AND SPENGLER
They smile at the camera as a phone number is supered on the screen.
GHOSTBUSTERS (in unison)
We're ready to believe you.
Dana turns off the TV set and goes into the kitchen.
INT. KITCHEN
Dana switches on the radio and starts unpacking groceries. She sets a loaf
of
bread and a carton of eggs on the counter and begins putting other items
away
in the pantry.
THE EGGS
The top of the carton pops open. Then, one by one, the eggs erupt and spill
over onto the counter. As the liquid contents hit the countertop they sizzle.
The
eggs begin to fry on the formica surface.
DANA
She hears the sizzle, turns and sees the eggs frying. She gasps, then recovers
and inspects the mess. She touches the counter gingerly, but it's not at
all hot.
Deeply perplexed, she stands there trying to think of an explanation. Then
a
strange new sound attracts her attention and she turns around to see where
it's
coming from.
Dana hears the sound of muffled chanting coming from the fridge. She pulls
the
door open and gets the shock of her life. The inside of the fridge has
been
transformed into the Gateway to another Realm -- a fiery path leading to
a
temple door. On each side of the door is a strange, snarling creature that
could
best be described as a TERROR DOG. Their front claws are raised toward
each other in a symbolic pose. The incredible vision is accompanied by
the
unearthly chanting.
DANA
She stands there transfixed by horror, the flames reflecting in her eyes.
THE FRIDGE
The chanting gets more frenetic and ominous as the temple doors slowly
begin
to open.
DANA
She is paralyzed.
THE TEMPLE DOORS
They continue to open. We feel a terrible presence within.
THE PRESENCE (whispers loudly and hoarsely)
ZUUL!!!
DANA
She screams and slams the refrigerator door. Instantly, everything is normal
again. She looks around the room.
THE EGGS
They are back in the carton, unbroken.
DANA
Fighting her fear, she turns back to the fridge and very slowly reaches
for the
handle. Then summoning all her courage, she yanks open the door. Ketchup,
mustard, bottles of vitamins and other food items fall out of the rack
on the
inside of the refrigerator door. Dana sighs with relief as she sees nothing
but
the cool white porcelain interior of the fridge. She closes the door and
stands
there for a moment still shaken by the vision. Then she shakes her head
and
leaves the kitchen.
