We at Austin Ghost Tours have always maintained that if the titled of “Ambassador of Texas” was ever a “thing”, the undisputed winner, tiara and sash would go to Mary. Her authentic twang and greeting of “Howdy, Y’all” as you mosey up the the counter of the Travel Desk at the Capitol Visitors Center are the epitome of Lone Star State hospitality.
She has called AGT Founder Jeanine a friend for over 20 years, and she calls tour guide Monica “the Ghost Whisperer.” Whenever a visitor, co-worker or even a DPS officer has something strange to report in or around the Texas State Capitol complex, Mary sends that story to us. She has worked in the Capitol Building, the Visitors Center and the Greer Building where the Highway Department is headquartered.
I worked at the Dewitt C. Greer Highway Building from 5 to 10 pm at one point in my career. During the 1980s, before we had an adequate emergency road condition reporting system, during one particularly horrendous storm event that was flooding all of Houston and putting citizens in near panic mode, some supervisor or other indicated that while they understood it was a lot to ask, I would be remembered in the annals of TxDOT history if I was willing to stay behind the Greer counter and answer the phone until 10 pm. Adding the words “you can take tomorrow off, if you want!” So, I waved goodbye to departing TxDOT personnel as they filed off the elevator and went home. The night watchman said he’d see me back at 10 pm. (What?) Answering road condition calls means you never put the phone down. You just tap the receiver to pick up one call after another. Call after call after call after call after call. My voice saying: “State Department of Highways and Public Transportation! May I help you?” Over and over and over and over. Good thing I was born with the ability to stay perky! About 7 pm, the best way I can explain it, is some invisible yet strangely all encompassing presence filled the lobby, like it came downstairs to see just what the hell was going on. It felt like something was curious I was there. Around 8 pm, the presence seemed to be saying “Why is she still here? What is she doing? Who is she?” and about 8:30 it seemed to be addressing me directly: “You! Yes, you! With your endlessly ringing phone and annoying voice! How long are you going to be here, exactly?” By 9 pm, I was feeling it get very annoyed. “Jesus Tap-dancing Christ do you have NOWHERE else to be?” (Yes, it was just like that!) By 9:30 pm, nervous because I understand how irritating I can be to something that’s not used to me and feeling this presence was about to get a bit hostile, I shouted between calls: “Living people have a right to be here, too!” which made absolutely no sense whatsoever but I felt better saying it and the mood actually seemed to lighten up a little! At 10 pm the night watchman returned from getting a beer or whatever and when I opened the door to leave, the door slammed back hard on the back of my heel, prompting the watchman to ask if I was all right. Probably just a fluke.
