Haunted Mansion: The Unsettling Truth

The hum of the office's air conditioning was a constant reminder of solitude. Ethan Collins stood in the spacious room, more than sixty square meters of newly acquired space. It was all his now. Gone were the days of cramped quarters next to the restroom; this was a different league. His chest swelled with pride as he surveyed his domain, feeling like a general surveying his battleground.

But the elation was short-lived. The reality of being alone in the office hit him. All the cleaning and maintenance tasks now fell to him. With a resigned sigh, he grabbed a rag and wiped down a chair and a small patch of the desk. The rest could wait; he had more pressing matters to attend to.

On his desk lay a stack of documents related to the "The Friday Phantom" show—the first two episodes' data and preliminary plans for future themes. Ethan's excitement had dimmed; the old material held no appeal. What he needed was a groundbreaking opening that would captivate both returning and new viewers. He mulled over several ideas but found none satisfying. The challenge was to create something that would feel familiar to old fans while also enticing newcomers.

After a few cigarettes, an idea struck him. The show's previous cliffhanger had centered around the infamous Blackwood Mansion. What if they picked up where they left off? It would demonstrate his boldness and capitalize on the existing hype. The mansion had been the talk of the town before the show went off the air, and reviving it could be a stroke of genius. The concept was compelling, requiring no new research or themes—just a well-executed presentation.

Ethan quickly sifted through the papers on his desk, finding the file on Blackwood Mansion. It featured a photograph of the old estate: a two-story Victorian house, now somewhat dilapidated. Its decay starkly contrasted with the surrounding modern high-rises.

The document explained that Blackwood Mansion was once owned by a warlord named Xue Sanshan. After losing a war, Xue and his family bought the mansion and made it their home. Xue was a notorious figure, and his family life was equally troubled. He had only one child, a son who was mentally impaired. In a desperate bid to secure a future for his son, Xue bought an eighteen-year-old girl as his son's bride. Despite the marriage, no children were born.

One fateful night, during a full moon, gunshots erupted in the mansion. When the police arrived, they found the house in a state of massacre. Every inhabitant—servants and family alike—was dead, their eyes wide open in terror. The only survivor was the son, covered in blood, holding a knife and grinning inanely. The police shot him on sight. The case remained unsolved, as no one knew what had transpired that night.

Since then, Blackwood Mansion had been plagued by mysterious occurrences. Strange noises, like crying and crashing sounds, filled the house, especially on full moon nights. The haunting cries of a woman could be heard, echoing through the mansion. During the post-war reconstruction, attempts to demolish the mansion had failed due to accidents and unexplained incidents. Local legends spoke of red guards who, in their attempt to prove their bravery, stayed overnight and reported seeing a pale, ghostly figure of a young woman. They fled in terror, and several guards later died under mysterious circumstances.

With all these spine-chilling details, Ethan saw potential. The story needed a little embellishment to maximize its scare factor. He envisioned a format where he would explore the mansion with a camera crew and interview local elders about past events. This would create a suspenseful and engaging episode.

But there was a hitch—he needed a cameraman. Ethan couldn't handle both hosting and filming. The most crucial part of the show, Blackwood Mansion, required two people: himself and a cameraman. Ethan approached Director Zhao with his plan, expecting praise for his efficiency. Instead, Zhao praised him but said there were no cameramen willing to go to Blackwood Mansion. The place had a reputation for being cursed, and no one wanted to risk their safety.

Ethan was at a loss. How could he produce a show about a haunted house without capturing footage? Zhao directed him to figure it out himself, hinting that he had to overcome obstacles or create his own.

Determined, Ethan roamed the building's eighteen floors, filled with offices for various entertainment shows. Each door offered a different world: reality TV, talent shows, and so on. When he reached the bustling "Fortune's Dock" studio, the mood shifted the moment he introduced himself as the host and producer of "The Friday Phantom." People's expressions turned to one of fear, and he was promptly escorted out.

Frustrated, Ethan realized he needed a solution. He contacted Xiao Wu, a local cab driver who knew every corner of the city. Although Xiao Wu agreed initially, he soon claimed a family emergency. Ethan suspected he was avoiding the job out of fear. Infuriated, Ethan vented his frustrations on the phone, but Xiao Wu cut off the call.

Left with no choice, Ethan decided to go solo. He borrowed a night-vision camera and prepared for the investigation. Just as he was about to set out, an unexpected ally emerged—Sophie Lee, a recently hired secretary with aspirations of stardom. She had been introduced to Ethan as a potential assistant during her interview.

Sophie had a glamorous look and a background in media, making her an ideal candidate. Ethan seized the opportunity and convinced her to help him with the shoot. As the sun set, they headed towards Blackwood Mansion together, Sophie's presence adding a touch of drama to the adventure.

The mansion loomed ahead, casting eerie shadows under the twilight sky. Ethan and Sophie approached with a mix of excitement and trepidation, ready to uncover the mansion's secrets and produce an unforgettable episode for "The Friday Phantom."