"Hague, New York, all the charm of upstate New York with a population of 854 as of 2000." Tori Morissette read to her friend and one of her housemates,Albert Fish. Fish just grunted as he twisted a tiny screwdriver to work on a mother board. His shaggy ginger hair obscured his green eyes behind rimless glasses. He poked this glasses back against his face and continued working<br/><br/>"Not many jobs here, that's for sure,"Jacob Dillon replied. He walked through the kitchen door and kissed Tori with a single minded purpose. She tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck , running her fingers through his dark hair. "But its a good thing that Hague likes their coffee or neither one of us would have a job."<br/><br/>They all glanced at each other standing in Tori's mom's kitchen. Joblessness and purposelessness were the two identifying factors for them and had been since the incident with the Crenshaw mansion. They been innocently investigating a haunted house they were legally aloud to be in, when on the second night a fire broke out and set the methane gas that had seeped up through the floor ablaze, subsequently killing Greg, Brandi, and Shanna.<br/><br/>The police found the story suspicious, but there was little they could do to prove it other wise as the crime scene was a literal disaster that was going to take months, if not years to investigate, and the small town's law enforcement budget certainly didn't have the resources for that. They did inform Jacob that because of the suspicious nature of the accident, they would be putting in an order to the insurance company to hold any payouts until conclusive evidence could be obtained, which might be years or just plain never.<br/><br/>And so, as it turned out, Ol' man Crenshaw had one final cruel joke to play on them, PSI , Jacob's baby that he'd started from the ground up was officially bankrupt, and out of business.<br/><br/>Tori had quit the job at Starbucks afterward. They had lost three friends to the incident.Tori called it the incident to keep from dwelling on the trauma. At first they tried to keep Greg and Shanna's business going, but in reality, without that couple's porn business, there was no income there. They sold it off to a retired couple. After that, Jacob and Fish had no where to live so Mom let them move in with her and Tori. Tori was glad Mom was open about sexuality because she didn't say much when Jacob automatically tossed his bags in Tori's room.<br/><br/>Oddly enough, Mom loved Fish, not just loved Fish but looOOoooved Fish. She wouldn't just  let him crash on the sofa but she made him a partitioned off corner of the living room. They drank Pepsi together. She did his laundry and would cook him special meals. He had gained 30 pounds since moving in six months ago.  They even shared a joint once in awhile. Tori thought it was rather cute. Still after all this time, that hadn't changed but her acceptance of Jacob was wearing thin.<br/><br/>Mom blamed Jacob for the incident at the mansion. Tori had tried to explain but Mom just waved her words away.<br/><br/>"I know how you look at the boy. He could lead you into Hell and you would follow without even asking him why. That isn't healthy, Tori. You just aren't the same little girl that I adopted. You cut off your lovely black hair and dyed it color book red. Spiky stuff and now a buzzillion skull earrings in your ears. Don't you think the house is rather crowded? When is Jacob moving out?" Mom had questioned.<br/><br/>"I don't know," Tori hated that her voice was whiny. " He and Fish will get it together sometime."<br/><br/>"I didn't say anything about Albert. He is a good houseguest and is welcome to stay. He is not a problem."<br/><br/>Tori just shook her head and walked away.<br/><br/>Money was a problem. Not only were they broke but they were depressed. All recreation, interest and working hobby was at a standstill. Lack of funds for equipment. Lack of funds for a vehicle. Lack of funds to have their own place.From where they stood, ghost hunting was over for a long time and life was stuck in a hick town.<br/><br/>When Tori got the call from Starbucks asking her to come back as assistant manager, she was able to get Jacob a job there too. At least they had that income. Fish fixed computers. People paid him under the table. Tori began saving for a down payment on an apartment. She thought maybe Jacob was socking some away too. Fish had cannibalized some junk computers and had a new monitor ready if they ever got enough for a camera.<br/><br/>~~~~~~~~<br/><br/>Six months after the incident and trees were turning deep reds and brilliant yellows. The wind was blowing colder and the rain was pelting at a sharp angle. Tori ran in  the door at the house, shaking out her black umbrella before she tossed it into the mudroom. The phone was ringing. Mom was a throwback because they were the only people in town with a landline. Tori slid across the tile and yanked up the receiver.<br/><br/>"Hello?" she answered.<br/><br/>"Is this the lady with PSI that investigated the Crenshaw mansion?" the woman's tremulous voice inquired. She had a soft southern accent but with a strange lilt.<br/><br/>"Yes, this is Tori Morissette. Who is calling?"<br/><br/>"My name is Emma Whitmore and the Supernatural Society of New Orleans is hosting a symposium."<br/><br/>"That's nice Ms. Whitmore but PSI is not operating right now.The incident destroyed our equipment."<br/><br/>"Don't worry your pretty little head. I have donated one million dollars to the Society for the express  purpose of bringing in investigators from all over the country. We have equipment. We will supply air fare, food and lodging plus a small stipend to any groups that come via this invitation."<br/><br/>"But Ms. Whitmore. I don't think Jacob, that is Jacob Dillon, our founder, I don't think he would want to investigate with people he doesn't know."<br/><br/>"Now, dearie, don't worry your pretty little head. This is a competition. Our Society has several locations chosen. Each group gets its own venue. Whoever brings us proof, as on video, EVP, camera, etc,provides solid proof that can not be debunked, will win the prize. $200,000 and will be written up in Time magazine. We will have tickets waiting for you tomorrow."<br/><br/>"But Ms. Whitmore." Tori tried to protest.<br/><br/>" Have your man call me if he needs more information. 504-976-3423."<br/><br/>"But Ms Whitmore,where are you talking about us coming?" Tori asked, wrapping the phone cord around her finger.<br/><br/>"Why, darlin, The Big Easy. New Orleans."<br/><br/>and then the dial tone. Tori was holding the phone,her mouth hanging open when Jacob walked through the door.