Charles Dicken's, "The Ghost and the Lawyer, set in an old, ancient Inn, provides the narrative of a poor man who convinces a ghost to part ways with his old apartment and explore other places. And in Joe Hill's, "20th Century Ghost," Theater owner, Alec Sheldon, is faced with the decline of his precious theater and fears that his beloved ghost, Imogene, will just fade within the walls of the Rosebud theater and be no more. Within these two stories narratives of ghosts who are attached to their former residential area and who haunt those within these places are told. Being based on shared subjects the authors take a similar approach in how they tell their narratives but use different styles when doing so. Both Hill's and Dicken's stories are told in third person omniscient and begin with flashbacks; Hill's, of rumors from movie-goers who claim to have seen the ghost who haunts the Rosebud Theater, Imogene and Dicken's, of the description of the poor man and his efforts. The poor man in Dicken's story is at first startled and displeased by the ghost's presence, but main character in "20th Century Ghosts," Alec Sheldon, is somewhat obsessed with Imogene and takes notes on her behavior in his yellow legal pad. These stories, being two completely different narratives, having distinct elements, while also having many similarities offer greater ideals to the audience, such as the moralistic idea of offering a helping hand, when looked at in a cohesive manner. 

In Dicken's short story, "The Ghost and the Lawyer," he tells the story of a poor lawyer who finds refuge within an old, deteriorating Inn, which he does not mind due to his sickly financial state. The apartment in which he stays is bare of furniture besides four chairs that he arranges in order to appear more bountiful and an old wooden press for papers. One night when talking to the old press, threatening it's being with the fireplace, he hears faint groans coming from the press. A tall and thin, translucent spirit arises from the wooden press with a sullen countenance and haggard, unearthly appearance. Startled and pale, the poor man raises the fireplace poker, aiming at the ghost who responds by saying that the poker would only harm the wall behind him. The ghost replies "In this room my worldly ruin was worked, and I and my children beggared," explaining to the poor man that the apartment was once his, and that he struggled trying to make a living there and eventually died of grief. The spirit goes on to say that two greedy thieves came and robbed the wealth he had worked so hard for, leaving none for his descendants. After terrifying the thieves from the room the spirit has ever since revisited the site at night, as he states, "the only period by which I can re-visit the earth." After listening, the man is confused to why when given the opportunity to revisit the earth, the spirit would choose to come back to the same, depressing and obsolete area and suggests that the spirit travel elsewhere to a more exciting place. In agreement with the man the spirit decides to take "a change of air directly" (Dickens, 420) and begins to vanish to never return to that apartment room again. 

In Joe Hill's "20th Century Ghost" the story of movie-obsessed theater owner, Alec Sheldon, who is infatuated and in love with the ghost who haunts the Rosebud Theater, is told. The story began with the flashback of rumors told by the movie-goers who claim to have seen the ghost, Imogene. They describe her as being see-through and having blood running from her nose as she begs for help. Alec Sheldon, owner of the theater and one of the first to have seen her, knows these rumors aren't true and when told these rumors, he listens in an interested manner, however, disregards them as false, but says nothing because it would be bad for business. Imogene does not bleed in the ways described and when talking to someone she always talks about movies due to her odd fascination with films, so Alec can easily rule out those who have actually seen her. Alec keeps a yellow legal pad listing the details of her actual encounters with people, hoping to find out what makes her show herself to people (He later discovers that Imogene shows herself to those who also have a love for movies). After an 8-screen Cineplex is opened just outside of town, the Rosebud Theater begins to lose business and Alec begins to worry about the failing establishment and tries to think of ways to restore it to its former glory. Imogene in fear of the theater closing and to help Alec, appears in the dreams of movie-goers influencing them to support the theater. Steven Greenberg, who saw Imogene at age 12 and who had since gone on to become an Oscar-winning director, comes back to the town and restores the theater to its glorious state. Later in the story, Alec dies and passes the torch to Steven. Alec and Imogene in the end are both spirits and remain in the theater to enjoy the movies.  The story uses italics to portray the flashbacks and uses an almost script like style to narrate these past events. 

In both the stories, a no longer living force is present and intimidates people who they do not want in their former residential areas or former areas of interest, which are decrepit and deteriorating. Imogene, although more friendly, also frightens those who she feels does not deserve to enjoy the theater such as in the case of Harry who she feels does not belong there, due to his lost interest in the Cinema. Both spirits have a hard time letting go of their past. The ghost from "The Ghost and the Lawyer" remains there to protect his former workplace and holds on the memories of his impoverished life in the apartment with his children. Imogene resides in the theater hoping to get back what she once lost, the opportunity to finish "The Wizard of Oz;" she died before the movie ended and is unhappy. In the end of both narratives, the spirits both come to terms with their frustrations and let go of the darkness or pain that hold them to their past destinations. Imogene finally gets to finish "The Wizard of Oz" and the spirit of the Inn decides to move away from his troubling past and move to different areas that can offer excitement and happiness within his afterlife. 

These two narratives cohesively offer a moralistic message of offering a helping hand. The poor man helps the ghost find his happiness and the theater owner, Alec, as well as the other town members, help Imogene find her peace. Imogene also assists in the theater's return to glory. Other themes that appear in "20th Century Ghost" are themes of love tied with obsession, Death and Nostalgia. Alec loves his brother who passed away as well as the ghost, Imogene. Alec and Imogene as well as Steven all share a love for movies. Covertly the reading encourages the pursuing of what you love to do as shown with Steven, who had a love for movies and then becomes a successful director. Death is an important aspect of the story as well. Ray, Alec's brother, and Imogene are both taken unexpectedly. In the end, Death becomes a release for Alec, knowing that his theater will be safe and secure in the hands of Steven, Alec finally lets go and lives a stress-free after life. Entertainment, another essential part of Hill's story, offers a place where the town can forget their troubles and struggles by enjoying classic films within the Rosebud Theater. 

These stories, although distinct and different, have many similarities and when look together in a cohesive manner offers a greater moral or idea. These stories ultimately relay the message that letting go of the past and the problems it holds will set you free. After finally deciding to forget about the haggard, ancient Inn, the spirit in "The Ghost and the Lawyer," finally finds happiness and is able to explore, never returning to the old apartment again. Imogene, after assisting in the resurrection of the old, decrepit theater and in the end finally seeing the finish of "The Wizard of Oz," is content and finally able to live her after life in peace with a gained immortal companion, Alec. One may want to hold on to these troublesome realities, however doing so will only cause harm, affecting not only them, but those surrounding. When coming to terms with things such as insecurities, a depressing childhood or death of a family member, only then is the ability to live life a possibility. 

