THE GHOSTLY GROOM, Episode 01 – Lenore

Written by William E. Spear

Published by The Three Fifty-seven

2 April 2024

THE GHOSTLY GROOM, Episode 1 – Lenore

His altar was the grave.

(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)

Hello . . . and welcome to the Three Fifty-seven.

My name is William Spear and this is our series titled THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM published in 1819.

Lenore Katzenellen, the central character, is the 45-year-old founder and president of a financial analysis firm in Odenwald, New Jersey. She is engaged to Geoffrey Ochre who lives forty-five minutes upstate in Wurtzburg. Their wedding is being planned by more people than signed the Declaration of Independence. All of whom are staying the night at her place.

Geoffrey is returning from a lengthy business trip and has called Lenore from his car. He should be arriving in half an hour and she prepared him for an all-night session of wedding negotiations.

And now Episode One titled LENORE.

(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)

Lenore ended the conversation with Geoffrey and returned to the spirited discussion of “Proper Utensil Placement for a Traditional Wedding Dinner.” This eleventh session of etiquette and protocol was presided over by her two aunts who repeatedly informed the assembled mass they have organized every family wedding since before Lenore’s birth.

Her father was Baron Katzenellenbogen whose service to various families in Europe resulted in his honorary title.    Widowed since Lenore was a toddler, he repeatedly gushed “If only your mother were here to see this.”

At this point, permit a gentle detour. Astute readers and listeners who value good-for-nothing details will note Lenore did not use the centuries-old spelling of “Katzenellenbogen” in her last name. She discarded it for contemporary and professional purposes. However, with her tradition-steeped aunts building a wedding ceremony to be remembered for generations, she agreed the ancient family name of Katzenellenbogen could be used. Back to the story.

In the midst of debating which relations by blood and marriage should receive an invitation, and at which tables they should be placed, there was a knock on the door. It was a uniformed officer of the Odenwald police department asking for Lenore. She made her way to the door and was informed a man in critical condition was in a local hospital and needed her assistance.

What might an unfortunate, anonymous man possibly have to do with her? The officer responded there was reason to believe it was Geoffrey Ochre.

“Reason to believe?” she asked. “His face was badly damaged, ma’am,” said the officer. “Please come at once.”

This news caused a general uproar. Gasps and “Oh, noes!” were everywhere and a few younger family members fainted. The aunts determined they would drive to “reduce the stress on our poor Lenore.”

Their “poor Lenore” was ready before the aunts finished refreshing their appearances. To give them more time, Lenore offered to drive. They, the Baron, and Lenore piled into her car and followed the officer.

At the hospital, a doctor and another police officer met the family and more details were learned. A motorist found him lying on the side of the road unconscious and covered in blood. When paramedics arrived, he regained consciousness and repeated wildly, “Lenore. Lenore. Must speak with Lenore.” He had passed out again.

Lenore peeked in and winced at the bandaged face, shoulders, and arms.

“How will I recognize him?” she asked.

The police officer approached with an evidence bag and asked her to identify the contents. Inside were a billfold and mobile phone. She examined both and confirmed, reluctantly, they were Geoffrey’s. She touched his belongings to her forehead and breathed deeply.

The doctor continued: “The slightest shock could be fatal . . . but-“

“Go on,” insisted Lenore.

“He desperately wants to talk to you. Life and death he said. Calls your name over and over and over,” said the doctor.

“Such love and commitment can keep one from crossing the threshold of death,” cooed the aunts dabbing tears from the corners of their eyes.

From his room, Geoffrey yelled: “Is that her? Lenore? Lenore!”

(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)

You have read or listened to Episode One titled Lenore.

Theme music is through the courtesy of Nicky.

William Spear wrote and narrated the series and it was produced by The Three Fifty-seven.

Thank you for your attention.

(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM  fades out)

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