Here's my attempt at a Ghost story. Set in a Music Factory. Hope you all like it. It will be available here for Free. This will most likely be my last Free Short Story for this site. As I'm going to start figuring out where to submit them to Magazines, Anthologies or Self-Publish them. Hope you have liked what I've done so far.
We Have Always Worked At The Factory by P.C. Snider
Adam Whitaker works in a Factory. He started working there straight out of High School. He never went to College. He thought College was a big scam to get people into debt, and not find any Jobs in the fields they ended up taking. So he skipped that step, and went straight to work. He is in his late Thirties, single never Married.
The Factory he works at was old. Way older than he was. The hours were long and hard. Twelve hour rotating shifts.
The Factory he works at is called Timberline Instruments, in Milbrook Falls, Maine. It has been running since 1925. They make Musical Instruments, Drums, Pianos, Guitars (Acoustic, and Electric), Ukuleles, and more!
He was excited to work there at first being a real big Music Enthusiast.
“Hey Adam.” his boss said.
“Hey Dave.” Adam sighed as he was checking the quality of a Snare Drum that was just made.
“How’s QA today?” He laughs.
“Heh, like I haven’t heard that before.”
“I’m fine, I guess.” He replies, as he started hitting the Snare Drum with a Drum Stick.
Dave cringes at the sound of a Rim Shot.
“Good timing.” Dave said.
“I would hope so been playing since I was Fifteen.” Adam said.
He hits another Rim Shot. Dave cringes again.
“Anyway, some people have been talking about you.”
“Not surprised. We do work in a Factory.” He sighs.
“They’ve been saying, you’ve been seeing Ghosts on the Night Shift?”
“Yeah, I have...” he sighs again.
Rim Shot again. Dave cringes.
“You done testing that Snare Drum yet?”
“I can be...” He hits it again.
Dave cringes again.
“Really need to talk to you in my Office about the Ghosts situation.”
Adam sighs. “I guess it’s meant to be.”
“You know, the older I get the more I understand why some people live alone.”
“Yeah, I hear yeah.” Dave said.
“Don’t worry though, you’re not in trouble. Not getting fired.”
“Well that’s a relief.” Adam said. “Thanks Dave.
“No problem. You’ve been here quite awhile. You’ve earned your Seniority etc.”
“Thanks again.”
#
They’ve reached Dave’s Office in the far back corner of the Factory. Adam always wondered why it was so far at the other end of the room. Probably so he don’t have to deal with anyone. He thought to himself.
Anyway he learned never to question much. Just come in try, and work. Don’t get in trouble. Go home collect pay check at the end of two weeks.
But unfortunately these Ghosts, have been Haunting him on every Night Shift. Sometimes they will play the instruments randomly. He can see the Piano keys move up, and down but nobody there playing it. Sometimes it’s Mozart, sometimes Beethoven.
The Guitar’s and Bass Guitar’s playing Old time Rock n’ Roll Music. Sometimes Blues.
Saxophones are playing Jazz, sometimes Ska.
You get the idea.
“So Adam. Tell me about these “Ghosts...” He gestures with his fingers in a sarcastic way.
“They’re there.” He said pointing at the area they just left.
“Dave looks at the clock.” It says 3:00 P.M. In the afternoon.
“Are they there now?” He replies.
“No they only come out at Night.”
“Riiiiiiiight.”
“Any witnesses?”
“Talk to Sasha.”
“Sasha?”
“Yep. Definitely Sasha.”
“Why Sasha?”
“Well, I’ll tell you why.” Adam said.
“She seen them too!”
“Why haven’t I witnessed any?” Dave said.
“Because... You only work 9:00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. The Ghosts normally don’t come out till around Midnight.”
“Makes sense.” Dave says. “I guess.”
They look at each other awkwardly.
“So...” Adam said.”
“So....” Dave trails off a bit with his response.
Adam sighs.
They both look at the clock.
“Why don’t I go get Sasha see what she has to say I guess.” Dave says. “You can go on back to your QA testing.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.” Adam replies. As he heads back to his station.
#
Dave goes off to find Sasha for some further investigation into this Ghosts situation. It’s quite a big Factory. She could be anywhere. He thought.
He starts his way down the long walk way that goes all the way around the building. To all the Assembly lines.
Last he checked the schedule she was supposed to be on Line 33. Making Ukuleles. Since she was so small that’s where they decided to put her.
Yeah he thought it was discrimination. But he wasn’t the one who made that decision.
He ended up finding her exactly where she thought she would be.
“Sasha!” He said loudly.
Sasha sighs as she plucks a Ukulele string with a snap. Dave cringes again.
It’s the Snare Drum all over again. He thought, and sighed along with her this time.
“Adam mentioned to me that you have also witnessed Ghosts on the Night Shift.”
“Maybe yes... Maybe no...” she replied.
“What do you mean?” Dave asked.
“It means that it depends on what are the consequences of me saying Yes are?” She replied.
“No consequences... same with Adam. You have both been here a long time. I promise neither will get in trouble, or fired. I just wanna confirm nothing is wrong with Adam. Meaning that he might need help of some sort.”
“Yes I have seen the Ghosts. Adam is not cuckoo crazy.” She said holding in a laugh.
“Can you provide more details to your claim?” Dave asked.
“Yes. One of the Ghosts I’ve named is Tyler. He likes to think he is a master of all the Instruments. But the reality is he can’t play any of them. He’s quite funny to watch.
“How’d you come up with Tyler?”
“One of my dead Uncle’s name was Tyler.”
“Ahh, I understand. Sorry for your loss.”
“It was long time ago. No worries.”
“Well I’ll take your word for it that you’ve you also seen them.”
“Of course I have! Why don’t you come around Midnight on this Friday’s Night Shift. You can see for yourself. It’s pretty cool honestly, you won’t be disappointed.
“Alright, I will. Not like I got anything else to do. It’s a date!”
Sasha Laughs. “Not a date Dave. I’m happily Single. Not looking to Mingle.”
“Seems like a lot of people are Single here.”
“It is what it is Sasha said.”
“Good point. Anyway will see you 11:00 P.M. Friday Night. So I won’t miss anything. How long does the show go on for?”
“All night pretty much. Why a lot of work hasn’t really been getting completed at Night. Everyone is easily distracted by the Ghosts, they can’t focus on their work.”
“I was kinda wondering why production was so slow on the Night Shifts this quarter.” Dave said.
“See you Friday.” Dave said as he decided to head out home for the day. Which he also lives by himself in an Apartment.
#
Friday comes sooner than later for Dave, Sasha, and Adam. However it seemed to crawl to a snails pace, between 11:00 P.M. and Midnight.
“You think they will show up?” Dave asked.
Adam, and Sasha looked at each other with a puzzled look. But then nodded yes at the same time to Dave.
It’s currently 11:30 P.M. Dave starts getting antsy. “Come on Ghosts! Come out, out and play!” He shouts.
Adam decides to start testing another new Drum Kit. This time not just the Snare Drum. He wanted to go all out. He started playing some Heavy Metal Drums.
Dave, and Sasha cringed at the loudness of the Drums. As they did not have ear plugs in. But Adam had put his in without them knowing about it, and had snuck behind the Kit.
Adam laughs maniacally as he’s playing them.
Dave, and Sasha both start yelling at him to Stop.
He hit’s the Middle part of the Ride Cymbal with loud TING, and then suddenly stops. “Sorry, guy’s I am the QA after all. Couldn’t help myself.”
The clock strikes Midnight. All of sudden the room gets cold, the lights flicker on, and off. Slowly then faster, then slow again. Different speeds of flickering lights.
“They have finally decided to show up!” Sasha says with a wide grin.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 starts playing on the Grand Piano. The keys going up, and down. On there own.
Jazz starts playing on the Saxophones, and old Rock n’ Roll starts on the Guitars, and Bass Guitars.
Dave, and Sasha run to where the ear plugs are, and grab a pair. The mixture of Music Genres was starting to drive them crazy.
“Here comes Tyler’s turn.” Sasha laughs. As she is aware of the pattern of the Musical Instruments.
“He always tries the Drums first.” She told Adam, and Dave.
“Yeah, I know that.” Adam says. “Wish I could teach him how to play them, but he seems too stubborn or something.”
“Anyway you believe me now don’t ya Dave?” Adam said.
“Yep. This place be Haunted alright.” Dave said.
The Drums sounded way off beat. Definitely the sound of someone who has never played them before. Adam cringed at the sound, being a professional Drummer and all.
Sasha continues on laughing. “Definitely Tyler.”
“So do you think we should do something about them? Get rid of them some how?” Adam asked Dave, and Sasha.
“Don’t think we really gotta choice in the matter.” Dave said. As the mixed Music Genres continued throughout the Night.
“I think they’ve always been here. Way before we arrived.”
“You think Tyler, will ever figure out a Musical Instrument?” Sasha wondered.
“Everyone’s a beginner at one point. I know I was.” Adam said smiling.
As dawn arrived, the lights stabilize, and the Music fades. In the end they all decided not to get rid of the Ghosts. They have accepted them as part of the Factory’s long History. Somehow that makes the Factory seem a little less Haunted, and a little more Human.
We Have Always Worked At The Factory by P.C. Snider (PDF) Free.
Copyright 2025 P.C. Snider
