Page 15 of Ghost
The screen flashed to a sidewalk scene, where Abby was interviewing a man in front of a gym. He was wearing remnants of a tee shirt, spandex shorts, and carried a half-full protein shaker in one hand.
Who was president when you were a senior in high school?Abby asked.
The man took a drink from his plastic bottle and then gave her a confused look. Of what?
The United States, she replied.
After giving the question some serious thought, the man responded. Donald Trump.
How many ounces are in two pounds of coffee?she asked.
I don’t drink coffee how would I know? Next question.
Who shot John F. Kennedy?she asked.
I’m twenty-two. He took another gulp from his shaker, making sure to flex his bicep as he took the drink. That was before my time.
Is it the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean that touches the coastline here?
I’m not big into American history,he responded. Ask me something about proteins or carb loading--
Does a man’s sperm have protein in it?she asked.
He grinned. It’s got tons of it.
How much?she asked. Per serving?
He shrugged. Couple of grams.
Gone with the Wind or Gone in Sixty Seconds?she asked.
He drank the remained of his protein shake. Gone in Sixty Seconds.
She motioned toward his protein shaker. How much of that stuff do you drink in a day?
He raised the plastic cup. Three of these.
How long does it take you to finish one set of curls?she asked.
Twenty-two minutes, he responded proudly.
That’s all I’ve got, she said with a smile.
The screen switched to a split screen. On the left, the man’s body was visible, but his head had been swapped with a large wad of hamburger. On the right, Abby held the microphone.
Does a man’s sperm have protein in it?she asked
A makeshift mouth opened in the hamburger-shaped head. It’s got tons of it.
How much of that stuff do you drink in a day?
The hamburger-headed gym rat lifted the plastic cup. Three of these.
How long does it take you to finish one?she asked.
He raised the cup to his hamburger head half a dozen times, and then lowered it. Gone in sixty seconds, gone in sixty seconds, gone in sixty seconds…
The screen switched back to the original one, with Abby sitting in front of the camera. Her eyebrows raised slowly, until they were at maximum height. After blinking repeatedly, she smiled.
