Outside New York Public Library
Eerie music. Pigeons fly from the steps.
New York Public Library, reading room
ALICE pushes a cart of books.
New York Public Library, basement
ALICE brings some books down to the basement of library. As she walks along, a few books float to other shelves. When she
turns around to investigate, nothing happens.
She makes some notes on a pad and passes a card catalog. The drawers slide open, spilling cards all over the place. She
screams and runs.
She runs through the shelves.
Comes to what must be the ghost; she screams. Her hair blows back.
Ghostbusters logo dissolves onto screen. Music: Ghostbusters.
Columbia University
Main title pops up. Ghostbusters theme keeps playing. We see people going in and out of the building.
Corridor outside Paranormal Studies Laboratory
We hear DR. PETER VENKMAN giving the ESP test. On door: "Dr. Egon Spengler Dr. Raymond Stantz Dr. Peter Venkman Venkman
burn in hell Maid please make up this room as soon as possible"
Inside lab
PETER gives ESP test to MALE STUDENT and JENNIFER. MALE STUDENT is hooked up to electrodes.
PETER
All right, I'm going to turn over the next card. I want you to concentrate. I want you to tell me what it is.
card is a star
MALE STUDENT
Square?
PETER
showing him card and shocking him
Good guess, but wrong.
holds a circle card up in front of JENNIFER
Clear your head. All right, tell me what you think it is.
JENNIFER
Is it a star?
PETER
It is a star! Very good. That's great.
holds up a square card for MALE STUDENT
All right. Think hard. What is it?
MALE STUDENT
Circle?
PETER
showing him square and shocking him
Ooh, close, but definitely wrong.
MALE STUDENT's gum shoots out of his mouth. He puts it back in and keeps chewing. PETER holds a plus sign card up for
JENNIFER.
Okay. All right. Ready? What is it?
no answer
Come on.
JENNIFER
Figure eight.
PETER
pretending to be astonished
Incredible. That's five for five. You can't see these, can you?
JENNIFER
No, no.
PETER
You're not cheating me, are you?
JENNIFER
No, I swear, they're just coming to me.
PETER
to MALE STUDENT
Okay. Nervous?
MALE STUDENT
Yes... I don't like this.
PETER
Don't worry, you only have seventy-five more to go.
holds up a card with three wavy lines
Okay, what's this one?
MALE STUDENT
A couple of wavy lines.
PETER
who wants to zap him just for fun
Sorry! This isn't your lucky day!
MALE STUDENT
I know. I -
PETER reaches for the little lever. JENNIFER seems amused, so PETER winks to her. MALE STUDENT stumbles over some words
before PETER zaps him.
Hey! I'm getting a little tired of this!
PETER
You volunteered, didn't you? We're paying you, aren't we?
MALE STUDENT
Yeah, but I didn't know you were giving me electric shocks! What are you trying to prove here anyway?
PETER
I'm studying the effect of negative reinforcement on ESP ability.
MALE STUDENT
The effect?! I'll tell you what the effect is! It's pissing me off!
PETER
Well, then maybe my theory is correct!
MALE STUDENT
ripping electrodes off hands
You can keep the five bucks, I've had it!
runs out of room and slams door
PETER
I will mister!
kindly, to JENNIFER
You may as well get used to that, that's the kind of resentment that your ability is going to provoke in some people.
JENNIFER
Do you think I have it, Dr. Venkman?
PETER
You're no fluke, Jennifer.
DR. RAYMOND STANTZ enters the room, all in a flurry.
RAY
grabbing stuff off shelves
This is it! This is definitely it! Did those UV lenses come in for the video camera? And that blank tape? I need it. The
one you erased yesterday.
PETER
to JENNIFER
Can you excuse me for a second?
JENNIFER
Sure.
PETER runs to RAY, jumps up and smacks him on the head.
PETER
I'm right in the middle of something, Ray! Ah, I need a little more time with this subject. Could you come back in an
hour, hour and a half?
RAY
Peter, at 1:40 PM at the main branch of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, ten people witnessed a free floating,
full torso, vaporous apparition. It blew books off shelves from twenty feet away and scared the socks off some poor
librarian!
PETER
I'm very excited. I'm very pleased. I want you to get right down there, check it out and get back to me.
RAY
No, no.
PETER
Get right back to me...
RAY
You're coming with us on this one! Spengler went down there and took PKE valances. Went right off the top of the scale.
Buried the needle! We're close on this one. I can feel it!
PETER
I can feel it. We're very, very close.
to JENNIFER
I have to go now, Jennifer, but I'd like to work with you some more. Perhaps you could come back this evening, say at -
JENNIFER
Eight o'clock?
PETER
I was just about to say eight o'clock! You are a legitimate phenomenon!
Outside New York Public Library
PETER is yelling at RAY all the way there.
PETER
As a friend I have to tell you: you've finally gone round the bend on this ghost business. You guys have been running your
ass off meeting and greeting every schizo in the five boroughs who says he has a paranormal experience. What have you
seen?
New York Public Library, reading room
RAY
Of course you forget, Peter, I was present at an undersea, unexplained, mass sponge migration.
PETER
Ooh, Ray, those sponges migrated about a foot and a half.
DR. EGON SPENGLER is under the table, listening to it with a stethescope. PETER runs over to him and speaks in a zombie
voice.
Egon...
EGON is puzzled. PETER raps table with knuckles, then slams it with a book. EGON is starled and jumps up.
EGON
Oh, you're here.
PETER
Yeah, what have you got?
EGON
This is big, Peter. This is very big. There is definitely something here.
PETER
Egon, this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole through your head. You remember that?
EGON
That would have worked if you hadn't stopped me.
LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR walks up to the three.
LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR
I'm Roger Delicore. Are you the men from the university?
PETER
introducing them all
Yes. I'm Dr. Venkman. Dr. Stantz, Egon.
LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR
Thank you for coming. I hope we can clear this up quickly and quietly.
PETER
Let's not rush things. We don't even know what you have yet.
They go to a smaller room. ALICE is lying on a table.
ALICE
I don't remember seeing any legs, but it definitely had arms because it reached out for me.
RAY
Arms?! I can't wait to get a look at this thing!
PETER
Alice, I'm going to ask you a few standard questions, okay? Have you or any of your family ever been diagnosed
schizophrenic, mentally incompetent?
ALICE
My uncle thought he was St. Jerome.
PETER
I'd call that a big yes. Uh, are you habitually using drugs, stimulants, alcohol?
ALICE
No!
PETER
No, no. Just asking. Are you, Alice, menstruating right now?
LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR
What has that got to do with it?
PETER
Back off, man. I'm a scientist.
EGON
Ray, it's moving.
New York Public Library, basement
EGON is in front, with PKE meter. RAY has a video camera. PETER is in the back, bored stiff. He starts making scary
gestures at RAY. They come to a tall tower of books.
RAY
Look!
EGON
This is hot, Ray.
RAY
Symmetrical book stacking, just like the Philadelphia mass turbulence of 1947.
PETER
You're right. No human being would stack books like this.
RAY
Listen!
eerie music
You smell something?
they go to a card catalog; it is slimed
Talk about telekinetic activity! Look at this mess!
EGON
Raymond, look at this.
RAY
Ectoplasmic residue.
EGON
Venkman, get a sample of this.
RAY
It's the real thing!
PETER
Somebody blows their nose and you want to keep it?
EGON
I'd like to analyze it.
As RAY and EGON continue talking, PETER scrapes slime into a dish. Gets it all over his hands. Groans and grunts. Flicks
slime away. Wipes hands and feet on books.
RAY
There's more over here!
EGON
I'm getting stronger readings here, this way.
RAY
Come on.
They turn a corner. PETER gives EGON slime.
PETER
Egon, your mucus.
a bookshelf falls with a crash
This happen to you before?
RAY shakes head
Oh, first time?
RAY nods. They continue. EGON's PKE meter goes nuts. They see LIBRARY GHOST.
EGON
It's here.
RAY
A full torso apparition, and it's real.
PETER
So what do we do?
no answer
Could you come over here and talk to me for a second, please?
pulls RAY by the ear
Could you just come over here for a second, please? Right over here. Come here, Francine! Come here. What do we do?
RAY
I don't know. What do you think?
EGON starts with calculator, but PETER slaps it away
PETER
Stop that!
RAY
We've got to make contact. One of us should actually try to speak to it.
EGON
Good idea.
They look to PETER. He groans and goes to the ghost. RAY starts taking pictures.
PETER
Hello. I'm Peter. Where are you from? Originally.
LIBRARY GHOST
Ssh.
PETER
going back
All right. Okay, the usual stuff isn't working.
RAY
Okay, I have a plan. I know exactly what to do. Now stay close, stay close. I know. Do exactly as I say. Ready, ready, get
her!
LIBRARY GHOST turns into a monster and scares them. They run away. Music: Cleanin' Up The Town.
Outside New York Public Library
PETER, RAY and EGON run away.
LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR
Did you see it? What was it?
PETER
We'll get back to you!
LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR
What?!
Columbia University grounds
PETER, RAY and EGON go back to the lab. PETER is laughing at RAY.
PETER
Hee, hee, hee! Get her. That was your whole plan. Get her. It was scientific.
RAY
I just got overexcited. But wasn't it incredible, Pete? I mean, we actually touched the etheric plane. You know what this
could mean to the university?
PETER
Yeah, it's gonna be bigger than the microchip. Ray, I'm very excited.
EGON
working with calculator
I wouldn't say the experience was totally wasted. According to these new readings, I think we have an excellent chance of
actually catching a ghost and holding it indefinitely.
RAY
Well, this is great! If this ionization rate is constant for all ectoplasmic entities, we could really bust some heads! In
a spiritual sense, of course.
PETER
Spengs? You serious about this catching a ghost?
EGON
I'm always serious.
PETER
Egon, I'm gonna take back some of the things I've said about you. You... you've earned it.
gives EGON a candy bar
Their lab
Moving men cart stuff out of the room. DEAN YEAGER stands in wait. Music: I Can Wait Forever.
RAY
The possibilities are, are limitless! Hey, Dean Yeager!
PETER
I trust you're moving us to better quarters on campus.
DEAN YEAGER
No! You're being moved off campus. The board of regents has decided to terminate your grant. You are to vacate these
premises immediately.
PETER
This is preposterous. I demand an explanation.
DEAN YEAGER
Fine. The university will no longer continue any funding of any kind for your group's activities.
PETER
But the kids love us!
DEAN YEAGER
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, Dr. Venkman, are a poor scientist.
PETER
I see.
DEAN YEAGER
And you have no place in this department or in this university.
Outside Columbia University
RAY is worriedly pacing. PETER is relaxing with a bottle.
RAY
This is a major disgrace. Forget MIT or Stanford now. They wouldn't touch us with a ten-meter cattle-prod.
PETER
You're always so concerned about your reputation. Einstein did his best stuff when he was working as a patent clerk!
RAY
You know how much a patent clerk earns?
PETER
No!
RAY
Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money and facilities. We didn't have to produce anything! You've never
been out of college. You don't know what it's like out there. I've worked in the private sector. They expect results.
PETER
For whatever reasons, Ray, call it fate. Call it luck. Call it karma. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I
believe that we were destined to get thrown out of this dump.
RAY
For what purpose?
PETER
To go into business for ourselves.
Offers RAY a drink. RAY drinks.
RAY
This ecto-containment system that Spengler and I have in mind is going to require a load of bread to capitalize. Where are
we going to get the money?
PETER
I don't know.
drinks
I don't know.
Outside Manhattan City Bank
The three come out of the bank. Fanfare.
PETER
You're never going to regret this, Ray!
RAY
My parents left me that house! I was born there!
PETER
You're not going to lose the house. Everybody has three mortgages nowadays.
RAY
But at nineteen percent! You didn't even bargain with the guy!
EGON
flashing a calculator
Ray, for your information, the interest rate alone for the first five years comes to $95,000.
PETER
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 rich beyond our wildest
dreams.
Outside Hook and Ladder No. 8
The building's windows are whitewashed. We hear REAL ESTATE AGENT talking.
Inside Hook and Ladder No. 8
REAL ESTATE WOMAN shows PETER and EGON the fire house.
REAL ESTATE WOMAN
There's office space, sleeping quarters and showers on the next floor and a full kitchen on the top left.
PETER
It just seems a little pricey for a unique fixer-upper opportunity, that's all. What do you think, Egon?
EGON
I think this building should be condemned. There's serious metal fatigue in all the load-bearing members, the wiring is
substandard, it's completely inadequate for our power needs, and the neighborhood is like a demilitarized zone.
RAY
calling to them from upstairs
Hey! Does this pole still work?
slides down the fire pole
Wow! This place is great! When can we move in? You've got to try this pole! I'm gonna get my stuff.
runs up stairs
Hey, we should stay here tonight. Sleep here! You know, to try it out!
PETER
I think we'll take it.
REAL ESTATE WOMAN
Good.
Outside Ivo Shandor Building
The building is huge and grandiose. Ominous music. Show the terror dog statues on the roof. DANA BARRETT gets out of a
taxi and enters the building.
Inside Shandor Building
DANA gets off the elevator. Sees a neighbor.
DANA
Oh, hi.
LOUIS TULLY pops out of his apartment
LOUIS
Oh, Dana, it's you!
DANA
Oh, hi, yes Louis, it's me.
LOUIS
I thought it was the drugstore.
DANA
Oh, are you sick?
LOUIS
Oh! No, no, I'm fine, I feel great! Just ordered some more vitamins and stuff. I was just exercising. I taped a 20-minute
workout and played it back at high speed on my machine so it only took ten minutes. I got a great workout.
DANA
Good.
LOUIS
You wanna come in for a mineral water or something?
DANA
Oh, I'd really like to, Louis, but I have to go rehearsal now. Excuse me.
LOUIS
No sweat, I'll take a rain check on that. I always have plenty of low sodium mineral water and other nutritious foods in
the house. But you already know that.
DANA
Yeah, I know that.
LOUIS
Listen, that reminds me, I'm having a big party for all my clients, my fourth anniversary as an accountant, you know, and
even though you do your own tax return, which you shouldn't do, I'd like you to stop by, being that you're my neighbor and
all -
DANA
cutting him off
Well, thank you, Louis, I'll really try to stop by.
LOUIS
Listen, that reminds me, you shouldn't leave your TV on so loud when you go out. The creep down the hall phoned the
manager.
DANA
That's strange, I didn't realize I'd left it on.
LOUIS
Well, yeah, you know what I did? I climbed on the ledge and tried to disconnect the cable, but I couldn't get in, so you