Spooked – Fantasma de la Oficina

Podcast: Spooked
Host: Glynn Washington (with story by Carlos)
Release Date: February 20, 2026
Producer: KQED & Snap Studios

Episode Overview

Fantasma de la Oficina explores one man’s chilling brush with the supernatural in a Japanese-Peruvian office in Lima, Peru. Graphic designer Carlos recounts a story that blends immigrant family traditions, workplace camaraderie, and an ancestral curse—culminating in an unforgettable personal encounter with a mysterious entity known as “Piesitos,” the office ghost.

Key Story Segments & Insights

1. Carlos Finds a New Community in Lima

[09:24]

• Carlos, a Peruvian not of Japanese descent, joins a marketing agency in the city’s Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) district.
• Welcomed despite cultural differences:

  “I thought I'd clash with them since I didn't know their customs. But nope, they treated me like one of their own... It almost felt like we were old friends.” – Carlos [09:24]

• Main colleagues: Juanjo (shift boss), Chacal (intern, ex-metalhead), Rulo (tall, hunched), and especially Sakura (boss’s daughter, spiritual, friendly).

2. Introduction to Piesitos, the Office Ghost

[10:57] – [11:47]

• During a late-night work session, Sakura warns Carlos:

  “You should watch out for Piesitos.” – Sakura [10:57]

• Piesitos ("Little Feet") is known for appearing as just shoes and pants—never a full figure—especially to those who sleep overnight in the office.
• Carlos laughs it off, thinking it a practical joke.

3. A Ghostly Encounter on the Third Floor

[13:24] – [16:34]

• Late one night, Carlos is asked by the security guard to reheat food upstairs. The building, normally lively, feels empty and still.
• As Carlos climbs the dark stairs, he senses a presence, sees a dark figure like his colleague, and suddenly:

  “I feel this wave of fear... It passes right through my body. I feel an electric jolt... I drop the lunch container... Was that a ghost?” – Carlos [14:04–16:34]

• Carlos is left shaken, unable to speak of what he saw.

4. The Shadow Returns; A Second Witness

[18:29] – [21:43]

• After reluctantly returning to the kitchen with Chacal, the two witness the shadow again—moving slowly, eventually slipping through a wall.

  “The shadow shows up again... slips into the kitchen. Then it turns to face the wall... and just walks through, straight through the wall.” – Carlos [21:02]

  • Both are terrified and flee. Colleagues recognize this as the true "Piesitos" encounter.

5. A Spiritual Cleansing

[24:07] – [26:34]

• Next day, a yuta (shaman/white witch) arrives, spraying floral-scented water on Carlos (“like Doritos mixed with agua Florida”).
  • Only Carlos is cleansed; Chacal is left alone.
  • Explained as necessary because “the ghost passed through you.”

  “No one told her about you... She said the ghost passed through you. Chakal only saw it, so she didn't spray him.” – Sakura [26:00]

6. The Curse Unveiled

[28:41] – [33:41]

• Several months later, company faces financial ruin; Carlos catches up with Sakura.

• She confides a family secret:

  “That ghost is part of the family... Her grandfather found a surname on their butsudan that didn’t match the family. He cut it off and threw it away. From then, ‘Piesitos’ began to haunt the office.” – Sakura [29:41]

• Cutting a surname from the altar (butsudan) is like “kicking someone out of the family,” which is believed to have brought down a curse: no male descendants, family businesses (including the company) crumble.

• The only way to break the curse: a ritual apology by the sea with the whole family and the yuta.

• After this, things seemingly return to normal—but uncertainty lingers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carlos’s awe and skepticism turn fear:

  “I see this thing still coming up the stairs... I’m completely petrified. I can’t even scream. It goes right through me.” – Carlos [14:04–16:34] -Colleague’s reaction: "Dude, you're brown, but you're as pale as a ghost." – Juanjo, after Carlos's encounter [18:59]

• Sakura on the curse:

  “Since we cut his name off the butsudan, the ghost wanted to erase our family name, too. How? Simple. You can't have any sons.” – Sakura [31:12]

• On superstitions and closure:

  “At least now there won't be any entity bothering us. I’m not totally sure I believe her, but I hope so too.” – Carlos [33:43]

Important Timestamps

• Welcome to Spooked – [00:09]
• Carlos begins work at marketing company – [09:24]
• Origin of Piesitos legend – [10:57–11:47]
• First supernatural encounter – [14:04–16:34]
• Second sighting with Chacal – [20:58–21:43]
• Yuta’s cleansing ritual – [24:11–26:34]
• Sakura reveals the ancestor curse – [29:24–33:41]
• Resolution and reflection – [33:41–34:20]

Tone & Storytelling Style

• Candid, conversational, often humorous—even in the face of fear (“like Doritos mixed with agua Florida”).
• Fluent mix of Spanish, Japanese, and Peruvian cultural details.
• Direct first-person storytelling with honest suspicion, awe, and reflection.

Takeaways

• Fantasma de la Oficina is more than a ghost story; it’s an exploration of cultural identity, workplace kinship, and the enduring influence of ancestral bonds.
• The “curse” of the wandering ancestor, and rituals to address spiritual grievances, underscore the deep role of tradition and belief in daily life—even among skeptics and outsiders.
• The mystery lingers even after attempted resolution, leaving both Carlos and the listeners pondering the boundaries between legend, coincidence, and the truly unexplained.

For more true supernatural stories, tune in to Spooked every Friday.