Stuff from my 2008 diaries, a short dialog involving two soldiers on midnight prowling duty and the existence of ghosts.
a. It's cold tonight; let's get back.
b. Aren't we going through the parade square this time?
a. This time? No. We'll just fill the checkpoints in and be off.
b. Why?
a. Look across the parade square.
b. I see.
a. A little dark?
b. Ah, well?
a. Do you see people?
b. Yes... vaguely. They're not supposed to be there, are they?
a. They don't belong there at all. Maybe not some point in the past, but not now. They would be marching in formation near the guard house every twentieth night of the month, and have been doing so for as long as I am here, at least.
b. Do you mean they're ghosts? Now that is hard to grasp, because you aren't really spooked and I don't believe they exist.
a. You're right there, they don't. You just have to shine a light at them to know that they... aren't really there. They never do us real harm and we get used to them.
b. What would you see with the lights on?
a. You'd see an empty parade square.
b. Why don't we try it now, then?
a. I wouldn't do it so much; wouldn't want to annoy their CO.
b. Their CO?
a. Wouldn't like to get into trouble with an officer, even one who isn't really there. Ah well... I don't believe in ghosts either.
b. But you talk about them all the time!
a. Do you believe in women, since you talk about them all the time also?
b. But they exist, don't they? Hey, that's a different matter!
a. Still, it doesn't matter if it is there or not; I've gotten used to it.
b. So you have. Let's get back, we've been staring at nothing for ages.
