Give Pete Frank his comeuppance.
Warning: Several common squicks ahead. This is supposed to be gross, even though I tried to keep it from being excessive. Donât judge me. Iâve got weird interests.
Frank was bent forward, staring at the stage floor with the pulsing lights reflecting off of it and trying to get his bearings. He felt so dizzy he was nauseous, or was it the other way around?
One hand kept him steady, propped against a chair the stage crew was using. The pounding music coming from the stage did nothing for his head. Frank knelt a little further down, one hand on his distended gut. Sure, he wasnât a skinny guy, but this wasnât normal. Something was swollen and painful in there, and he was willing to bet money it was his liver.
Even Peter noticed. Heâd made a crack about him looking pregnant. What was it? Oh, when are you due? Frank had given him a death glare and pointed to his watch. Venkman was wanted onstage.
Frank let out a groan, grateful he couldnât be heard above the music. What heâd forgotten was that his microphone was on. A reply came back through his headset.
âHey, Frank. You okay down there?â One of the lighting technicians scaled a ladder and knelt next to him, one hand on his back.
âYeah, Zed, Iâm fine. Just queasy. Probably ate something bad for lunch. You gotta get back up there and operate that spotlight, you know. That thing doesnât move on its own.â
Winston nodded. âYeah, Jillâs got it for now. C'mon, you need a break. Why donât you head for the green room? Iâll help you.â He took his arm and helped him to stand. It was all Frank could do to keep from shouting in pain. He was unsteady on his feet, and he had to lean against Zeddemore as he adjusted his sunglasses to keep the stage lights out of his eyes.
Out in the hallway, Frank let go of Winstonâs arm, doubling over and retching all over the tiled floor. There was nothing but blood and bile. Winston grabbed his arm to keep Frank steady, just in time to feel a tremor go through his arm. He breathed harsh and heavy, collapsing onto his backside to lean against the wall.
âIâm calling a hospital, Frank. You didnât eat anything today, did you?â
Frank went a little pale, shook his head in confirmation. He waited as Zeddemore made the call, the tile decorating the wall cool against his skin. God, these people needed to hire a decoratorâŚ
Winston crouched down to face Frank. âI need you to take off those sunglasses, Frank. They want me to check your eyes.â
He might have protested, but Frank was too sick to move. He didnât much feel like yelling. Winston lifted the glasses and Frank opened his eyes. A frown plastered Zeddemoreâs face.
âWhat did you do to yourself, man? Your eyes are yellower than Lucifer himself.â He shoved his phone in his pocket. âTheyâre telling me you got acute liver failure. Theyâre gonna be over as soon as they can. Can you move?â
Frank let out a weak sigh and tilted his head just enough to symbolize a shrug. âNot very acute now, am I?â
Winston shook his head and slung Frankâs arm over his shoulder. âThatâs not funny, man. Youâre really sick. Both ways.â
âThat didnât do it for ya, huh? What about, âI knew I was full of piss and vinegar, but up to the eyeballs seems excessive.ââ
âYouâre a regular Rodney Dangerfield, Frank. Come on, weâll find you a place to lie down.â
The ambulance arrived several minutes later. The concert went uninterrupted. Winston called from the hospital when it was over to say that Frank was in a coma. Nervous jokes went around about Frankâs sleeping habits. âItâs a good thing heâs in a coma now, he needs it. The man never sleeps.â
A day or so later, he didnât wake up.