"And you're sure the measure is right?"Uma asked as Murphy unlocked the heavy door.
"Trust me, love.A few hits of this, and any ghost will experience temporary corporeal form for several hours.Just enough for a proper celebration without causing any...complications."
The trio watched in fascination as Murphy and Uma disappeared.The implications of what they'd just heard were staggering—a potion that could grant ghosts physical form?The very idea seemed impossible, yet Murphy's confidence suggested otherwise.
When they emerged a few minutes later, they seemed satisfied with their work.
"There," Murphy said, locking the door behind them."Safe and sound until tomorrow night's Last Hurrah at the ghost prom.”
As the father and daughter headed back into the pub, the three ghosts remained hidden in the shadows, whispering among themselves.
"So," Chet said slowly, "Murphy's created some kind of potion that lets ghosts become solid?"
"Apparently," Beau replied."Though I've never heard of such a thing."
"And it's just sitting there in that icehouse," Finn added thoughtfully.
"Finn," Chet warned, "I can see those wheels turning.Whatever you're thinking—"
"I'm thinking Murphy went to all this trouble to make something special for ghosts to enjoy," Finn interrupted."And here we are, three ghosts who just had quite an adventure and could use a proper celebration."
"But we'd be breaking into his storage," Beau protested."That doesn't seem right."
Finn was quiet for a moment, clearly wrestling with his conscience.His friendship with Murphy went back decades before he died.It was built on mutual respect and shared mischief.The idea of betraying that trust sat uncomfortably in his chest.
"You're right," he said finally."Murphy's been nothing but good to me."
"There's the honorable Finn we know," Chet said approvingly.
"On the other hand," Beau said with a mischievous grin, "didn't you once tell us that you and Murphy were world-class pranksters back in school?Always getting into a bit of trouble together?"
Finn's ghostly features lit up with remembered mischief."Aye, that we were!The things we got up to...Murphy always said a little harmless trouble kept life interesting."
A new set of memories hit Finn again—late night escapades, practical jokes that had become legendary among their classmates, and the kind of friendship that was built on shared adventures and mutual trust to keep each other's secrets.
"And this would be harmless, wouldn't it?"Chet asked."Just a quick taste of whatever he's created?"
"A small sample," Beau agreed."For scientific purposes."
"Research," Finn said, his resolve clearly weakening."To make sure it's safe for tomorrow's celebration."
"Exactly!We'd be doing him a favor," Chet declared.
The three friends looked at each other, grinning with the shared excitement of a plan that was probably a terrible idea but absolutely irresistible.
"Well," Finn said, floating toward the icehouse door, "when you put it like that..."
Breaking into the underground storage proved surprisingly easy for three incorporeal beings who could simply pass through the locked door.The icehouse was exactly as expected—clean white walls and floors like an igloo, with organized stacks of crystal blue ice blocks and a central butcher block island, while the walls were lined with shelves stacked with bottles, potions, and bottles of ale.
And there, arranged carefully on the island, were the kegs of Ghost Draught Vapor alongside a neat stack of instruction cards.
"Look at this," Beau said, picking up one of the cards and reading aloud."'Ghost Draught Vapor: For Final Night Celebration.Dosage: Three puffs per spirit for temporary corporeal form lasting 4-6 hours.Warning: Effects may include enhanced physical sensation, temporary loss of some unearthly abilities, and heightened emotional responses.'"
"Enhanced physical sensation," Chet repeated thoughtfully."Does that mean...?"
"Taste," Finn breathed."Actual taste."
The three ghosts stared at the kegs with growing excitement.The possibility seemed too good to be true, too wonderful to resist.
