# SDMB Ghostbusters: Part Two, The Flatbush Avenue Ghost **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 13, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389 "2013-07-13T05:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BrianJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@BrianJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianJ)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/41 "2013-07-17T15:32:25Z")
The response about Doctor Panema piques Brian’s interest. Why not? tell us about him. Don’t leave anything out. Could he have anything to do with this haunting? While you’re at it, tell us about the other residents as well. To the other Ghostbusters: I suggest we start in the basement and work our way up, once we go in. ---
**Author:** ![BrianJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@BrianJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianJ)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/42 "2013-07-17T15:42:59Z")
Brian thinks of another followup question. You said 2 months ago this all started? Did anything else unusual happen 2 months ago? Change of tenant, or anything else at all? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/43 "2013-07-17T15:56:05Z")
Lou asks Don, “When’s da las’ time anyone saw Doc Panama?” ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/44 "2013-07-17T16:50:28Z")
“Hmm.” ponders Don. “Let me see…” “Well, let’s start from the bottom. The basement is storage; tenants keep their old junk down there. The water heater, the furnace, and that sorta stuff is down there too. Not much reason to go down there unless something breaks, I suppose.” “I’ve got the first floor apartment; we’re headed there now. You’re more than welcome to look around all you like.” I’ll try to have this map ready for tonight; I’ve decided I don’t like the one I have already so I’m’a re-do it. Shouldn’t be hard. “The apartment layouts are basically the same from floor to floor.” “Second floor is Miss Sirena LaCoque. She’s pretty, but way outta my league…” Don says wistfully. “I’m not sure what she does for a living, but she’s always having company over, people coming and going all hours of the night. None of my business, of course.” “Third floor is the Pogonis. Mrs. Maria Pogoni lives there with her kids; I think Mr. Pogoni died a while back, I’m not sure. She’s nice enough, I guess, but you can tell she’s having a hard time raising all those kids all by herself. The kids aren’t much trouble, tho, they pretty much do what she tells 'em to, they’re pretty well behaved.” “And the fourth floor is Dr. Panama. I can’t remember the last time I saw him, maybe one of the other tenants can give you more information. He mostly stays in his apartment… only seems to come out at night, really. No idea what he does for a living, either, but it must pay pretty well. He’s never late with the rent, and always pays in cash, slipping an envelope under my door on the first of the month.” “Nobody’s moved in or out since I got here about two years ago; all the tenants were already living here. I just needed a job and this one offered free rent, so I took it. Not a bad place to live, really. I’ve got plenty of room to work on my hobby, Electronics. Here, let me show you my workshop, maybe you’ll want me to take your gear apart and see if I can’t make it work better?” hint: You probably don’t want that. “I can’t think of anything that could have caused this trouble… two months ago taxes were due, but why would that matter?” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/45 "2013-07-17T17:27:12Z")
When Kris gets a chance, he tells the group relatively quietly, “Guys, we need to go floor to floor and investigate. Hey, does this job pay hourly? It’s going to take forever, but I suggest that after the 1st floor with Don, we start in the basement and work our way up. Agreed?” He also informs them of what he learned about the TV’s being connected to the ghost. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/46 "2013-07-17T18:04:22Z")
Gerald taps his chin thoughtfully. “Has anyone tried blocking the electrical outlets with anything? Heavy pieces of furniture or even those little plastic baby protector things? There’s a world of difference between a ghost who can plug a TV back in and a ghost who can remove obstacles to plug a TV back in.” ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/47 "2013-07-17T21:40:54Z")
Don to Gerald: “Hmm. No, ya know, I hadn’t thought of that. As far as I know, nobody’s tried doing anything like that. I guess it’s worth a try…” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/48 "2013-07-17T22:26:43Z")
> [@Phnord\_Prephect](#): > > Don to Gerald: “Hmm. No, ya know, I hadn’t thought of that. As far as I know, nobody’s tried doing anything like that. I guess it’s worth a try…” Kris agrees, adding, “Fine, we’ll begin in the basement with investigations, covering all outlets as we work our way up. Does this sound good, Don?” ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/49 "2013-07-17T22:52:15Z")
“Fine with me” says Don Davidson. “I’ll be in my apartment when you’re ready to check that out.” What do you intend to use to cover the outlets, just whatever furniture happens to be around? ---
**Author:** ![BrianJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@BrianJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianJ)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/50 "2013-07-17T23:07:11Z")
Or we could cut the cord? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/51 "2013-07-17T23:10:32Z")
“Sure, we could cut the cord if you’re willing to pay these folks for new televisions. I’d like to try a variety of things to determine the strength of the ghost: blocking outlets with light and heavy objects, and I’d also like one of our more mechanically inclined folks to open one up and take out a necessary part. If the spirit can turn on a television that’s missing a piece, it’s -very- strong.” ---
**Author:** ![BrianJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@BrianJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianJ)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/52 "2013-07-17T23:45:38Z")
Makes sense, lets try a few things. Probably not a good idea to make the ghost mad before we are ready, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/53 "2013-07-18T00:16:22Z")
> [@BrianJ](#): > > Makes sense, lets try a few things. Probably not a good idea to make the ghost mad before we are ready, anyway. “Oh, come on, let’s piss it off a little. Cut all electrical cords we find and research everything from the bottom up. You guys ready to go in?” Kris says. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/54 "2013-07-18T01:57:31Z")
Lou lapses into Cajun French for a moment. "_Roulons!_"Let’s roll! ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/55 "2013-07-18T05:51:38Z")
My apologies, folks. I’m gonna have to take a personal day here, didn’t get what I wanted to get done, done. ☹ I’ll be back in form tomorrow. Can y’all confirm for me please, whether you’re starting in the basement, or in Don Davidson’s apartment? Either way is fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![BrianJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@BrianJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianJ)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/56 "2013-07-18T13:09:50Z")
Starting in the basement sounds good to me. We can ask Don to let us into any locked room we find down there, if need be. Once we start fiddling with the TV’s, we can try blocking outlets first, see what happens and then try cutting the cords. As far as cost goes, I’m sure Kris can repair a broken power cord in his sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/57 "2013-07-18T14:04:53Z")
The basement and I suggest we cut all cords immediately. Kris will fix them if it is a big deal. Kris is also planning to look through the tenants storage to get an idea what kind of folks live here. ---
**Author:** ![BrianJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@BrianJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianJ)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/58 "2013-07-18T17:09:19Z")
Fine with me. besides, if we have to fide proton packs at the TV there won’t bew much TV left anyway. That’s why we get the client to sign damage waivers. brian nudges Gerald and asks “We did bring damage waivers, right?” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/59 "2013-07-18T17:38:38Z")
“There’s absolutely no reason to cut the cords right now. It prevents us from gathering data about the power level of the ghost, and it’s an unnecessary act of provocation!” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389/60 "2013-07-18T18:08:32Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > “There’s absolutely no reason to cut the cords right now. It prevents us from gathering data about the power level of the ghost, and it’s an unnecessary act of provocation!” “Fine, we’ll leave a couple. In the basement, we need to look for any storage items belonging to Doctor Panama. I’m especially curious about him,” Kris says. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-ghostbusters-part-two-the-flatbush-avenue-ghost/663389.md?page=4)