As Venkman, Stantz and Spengler walk and talk, the library administrator hurriedly walks up behind them, interrupting, he nervously introduces himself…
Roger: “I’m Roger Delicore. Are you the men from the university?”
Venkman assumes the position of leader of the group, introducing the three men…
Venkman: “Yes. I’m Dr. Venkman. Dr. Stantz, Egon.”
In another subtle poke, Venkman doesn’t introduce Dr. Spengler with his full title. As a result, Roger only shakes hands with Venkman and Stantz. Roger goes on to say…
Roger: “Thank you for coming. I hope we can clear this up quickly and quietly.”
Roger is anxious in both his speech and body language. Clearly, the strange events of the day have unsettled him, and he has no clue what Venkman & co have in mind, or for that matter, who they are. As library administrator, he’s in the business of ‘calm and quiet’. Venkman senses the man’s anxiety and chooses to add to it.
Venkman: “Let’s not rush things. We don’t even know what you have yet.”
Venkman can’t help himself. He looks straight at Roger, adopting the most serious tone. It’s funny, not only because Bill Murray is a master of this kind of wry humour, but because we know Venkman is playing further mind games, sensing the man’s stress levels and using them to amuse himself. Venkman walks away.
Words by Gareth Rhodes.
Ghostbusters: Scene by Scene 