Sometimes you need to post a little play from a non-defunct ZINE.
Here is THE TRAGEDY OF CASPER (a week in the life of the friendly g-g-ghost)
Some things to ruminate on, before during & after you read:
A.) EXTRAORDINARY BODIES: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature, (Twentieth Anniversary Edition) by Rosemarie Garland Thomson
B.) BOO MOON (1954) - Casper the Friendly Ghost Short
C.) THE BOOK OF JOB
A book in the Old Testament exploring divine justice, human suffering, and faith.
A wager between Satan and God, where Satan claims Job is only faithful because his ‘life is good’ — so God strips Job of wealth, family, and health.
Job questions the ability for the human mind to comprehend the vastness of creation.
The Tragedy of Casper
Tuesday
casper the friendly ghost: I found you!
sad marvin the dog: casper, i've been in this closet for two hours
casper the friendly ghost: it was a good hiding spot
sad marvin the dog: i don't think we can be friends anymore
casper the friendly ghost: what!?
sad marvin the dog: i've been pushed to the edge
Wednesday
casper the friendly ghost: wow! it's you!
bill murray, star of garfield: yes it's me
casper the friendly ghost: you're my favorite actor of all time
bill murray, star of garfield: thank you, that means a lot
casper the friendly ghost: i've seen all your movies. i watch them constantly-
bill murray, star of garfield: i've quit movies. i own a laundromat now
caper the friendly ghost: can i have your autograph?
bill murray, star of garfield: do you have a pen?
casper the friendly ghost: not anymore
bill murray, star of garfield: then i can't help you.
Thursday
casper the friendly ghost: why have you been so quiet tonight?
rhonda, the masseuse: i'm driving
casper the friendly ghost: but before that, you were quiet all night
rhonda, the masseuse: listen. i'm pregnant
casper the friendly ghost: (after a long pause) that's great
rhonda, the masseuse: ugh...
casper, the friendly ghost: i love you so much
rhonda, the masseuse: it isn't your’s
Friday
casper the friendly ghost: i hope this wishing well will help me out.
wishing well: yeah i can help, just throw in a coin and make a wish.
casper the friendly ghost: oh wishing well, please, this is my last dime.
wishing well: wishes don't work with dimes, buddy, only pennies
Saturday
buddy holly, (before he died): boy casper, i sure am jealous of you
casper the friendly ghost: you are?
buddy holly, (before he died):: if i was a ghost it’d be great-
casper the friendly ghost: well it’s not as great as you’d think-
buddy holly, (before he died):: i'd haunt any body i want. but not in a spooky way. i could be near anybody. and see what they're like. walk around with them. live with them and see and feel how they experience the world. i would feel every shape and size. if i didn't like where i was i’d i’d i'd haunt someone else.
casper the friendly ghost: that's not how ghosts operate… we shouldn’t—
buddy holly, (before he died):: oh shoot, i'm late, see you around!
Sunday
a snowy tundra.
casper finds a polar bear.
casper possess the polar bear
and freezes into a block of ice.
casper the friendly ghost: oh. i’ll thaw. i will thaw. and soon. i will thaw. and move on.
THE END.
May 2025.