Alrighty then. We have made it to the seventh part in my Spider-man epic. Today's "episode" is a little short because this is the breather portion of the story. What with all the action and drama that occurred over the last few scenes, I felt we need some more of the Parker side of the Spider-man coin. For those of you who have been reading, welcome back. And for the newcomers, you have some catching up to do!! But more on that later.
Now as you may have noticed from the teaser, there is at least one secret revealed. I won't give it away. You'll just have to read!
So I present Scenes 22 and 23.
SCENE 22
Pandemonium ensued at the Glenview Memorial ER. Martha Connors bustled through the crowd of constant pain looking for the information desk. She found it alright. The line to the receptionist was practically a mile long.
‘I don’t have time for this,’ Martha thought with a grimace.
The crowd was unrelenting. And yet somehow she managed to push her way through to the front of the line.
“Hey lady! Wait your turn!” an angry patron yelled, “We all sick here!”
Ignoring him, she approached the receptionist who also was in a bad mood, “Look lady, like the guy over there said you can’t just-“
“Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do! My husband was recently brought in here from Empire State University and I just want to where he is!!!!”
Affronted, the receptionist was not as forthcoming as Martha would have hoped, “LOOK. I know you probably rehearsed it that little speech on the way down here. But EVERYONE here has been waiting for at least a half hour. A family over there hasn’t heard back from their surgeon in two. Now I’m gonna say this ONCE. SIT DOWN AND WAIT YOUR TURN!”
Tired of people talking down to her, she ran through the door which led to the operating rooms.
“MA’AM!” the receptionist called to no avail.
She burst through the double doors and pursued doctors and nurses searching fervently for Curtis.
“Ma’am I’m gonna have to ask you to go back outside and wait-“
“WILL PEOPLE STOP TELLING ME THAT?!”
“Call security,” the distraught doctor whispered to a passing nurse.
“LOOK,” she said grabbing the doctor by the lapels, “MY HUSBAND WAS JUST BROUGHT IN HERE FROM THE ESU INCIDENT AND I AM NOT LEAVING HERE WITHOUT SEEING HIM!!!!”
The doctor who had been overtly concerned for his welfare a moment earlier, became quizzical, “You are his wife?”
“What did I just say?! Yes!!!”
“Well, you’re husband-“
“Curtis!”
“Yes him,” the doctor fixed his glasses, “He has only one arm?”
“Yes! Now please tell me what happened!”
“I’m sorry ma’am. I just needed to verify that you know him.”
‘Know Him. Thank God he’s still alive!’
“But, there is not much that we can do for him at this point.”
Martha barely heard him, “I’m sorry?”
“No ma’am. I am sorry. Your husband…. He has suffered over ten breaks. His spine is broken and his lungs are lacerated.” He adjusted his glasses again. Nervous habit. “If he doesn’t choke on his own blood in the next half hour, I’ll be very impressed.”
“Is he awake?”
“He was unconscious when he arrived. He woke up once but we had to put him under. He was in too much pain.”
“You called for security sir?” a burly orderly inquired.
“Not anymore.” The doctor replied, “Thank you Nelson.” He turned back to the resigned Martha, “You can go in and see him. But only for a few minutes. We need to cart him out soon.”
Too upset to notice the fact that the doctor made him sound like a package, she decided to go to husband. If what the doctor said was true, Mrs. Martha Connors would be a widow in a half hour.
On the other side of the hospital, in the recovery ward, Norman Osborn was in a catatonic state. The state trooper kept on asking him questions.
‘How had I gotten here? Where was I going? Who attacked me?’
All good queries. Too bad Osborn had no answers. It wasn’t that he didn’t remember, he just did not want to relive it. But the trooper kept on asking.
And Osborn kept repeating, “They’re dead. They’re dead. All dead.”
“Alright,” the trooper said, “We’re getting nowhere.” He motioned over at the nurse, “Look, I found this guy in what looked like a mini Ground Zero. He’s not responding well and obviously, he’s in shock. I’m gonna leave him be for a few hours and see if that helps. You mind keepin’ an eye on him?”
“Not at all,” the nurse said as if all she wanted to do was go home.
“Thank you,” replied the uncaring trooper.
Back over where Norman Osborn was sitting, he recalled without effort the events that occurred when the convoy was attacked.
‘Right on schedule,’ thought Norman Osborn. When the SUV behind them had exploded, he had jumped like everyone else. He had yelled. He had pretended to have mock bravado. He even tried to give the guards pointers. To no avail of course. The attack had been planned with strategic genius.
When Dillon had finally managed to speak with the surviving pair, Osborn was dead calm. Jenkins was the exact opposite.
“What do you want?!” squealed a frantic Jenkins.
“Don’t piss your pants egghead, we just want the case.” Dillon explained with a hint of amusement.
“The case?” Osborn spoke up, “Why would you want it?”
“Oh, let me count the ways,” Dillon counted off his fingers, “Small but heavily armed convoy? Check. Guards ready to fight to the death? Check. Hummer protected by two SUVs? Check. And a thirty pound (at least) stainless steel briefcase in said hummer? Check. Why gosh, I just thought that y’all were going for a picnic.” Dillon stretched out his hand, “Now the case if you please Mr. Jenkins.”
“How did you-“
“Know your name?” Dillon finished, “C’mon! You didn’t expect us to assault a government vehicle without knowing who’s in it? And I thought you were supposed to be smart. Mr. Osborn step aside please.”
“Sure thing Dillon,” Norman said nonchalantly as he exited the car.
Realization began to dawn on Jenkins’ face as Norman patted Dillon on the back.
“I’d give him the case Jenkins.”
“You?”
“You know, you shouldn’t mutter Jenkins,” Osborn said, “Just give Dillon the case and you can die a quick death.”
“But wh-“
BLAM!!!!!!!!!
The gunshot cut through the silence just as it did Jenkins’ head. Dillon grabbed the case as Jenkins slid slowly to the seat.
Dillon hefted the case, “Hmmmmmm. Heavier than I thought.”
“Mostly security measures,” Osborn said looking over the body that had been Jenkins, “Did you bring what I told you to bring?”
“Of course,” Dillon replied, “Don’t know why you needed two of them.”
“That’s why YOU are the hired gun. Where are they?”
“Over in Schultz’s crappy car,” Dillon pointed across the road.
“Hey!” Schultz yelled as if hurt, “That car is a classic!”
“The only thing classic about it,” Dillon said as he walked over to the trunk, “Is the fact that people never bought it.”
Osborn rolled his eyes. These “professionals” were the best of the best. He did not pay them for their banter.
“Gentlemen,” Norman cleared his throat, “Lets get on with this before the authorities show up.”
Dillon removed two devices from the trunk of the beat up car. An amateur would be able to tell you that these were very sophisticated bombs. But the pros would be able to tell you the blast radius was almost a quarter mile. Dillon carefully placed one at Jenkins’ feet and set another about twenty feet away from the SUV.
“Lets go,” Osborn motioned for everyone to leave.
All but Ramirez piled into Schultz’s car while the small mountain instead grabbed his motorcycle which he had hidden in a ditch.
For the few minutes that Osborn was in the car, he began tearing at his eight hundred dollar suit.
“What are you doin’ boss?”
“Ming, there are many things about America that you have yet to understand. Deception is the key to making your way in this country. And for this masquerade to be believable, I must at least appear as if I have fought for my life.”
Ming didn’t say anything further. He didn’t have to. Although the fact that he grew up in Brooklyn did cross Ming’s mind.
When Schultz had driven for about a mile, Osborn took out a remote and depressed the trigger on it.
The explosion that ensued almost threw the car from the road. Thankfully, the car was packed so tight with occupants and equipment, the car was merely rocked violently.
“Boss,” Dillon gasped with a grin, “What did you put in those bombs?”
“Explosives,” Osborn smirked.
They dropped Osborn off at an exit leading back into the city. Before the car took off, Osborn handed Dillon the remote.
“Make sure its disposed of.”
“Sure thing boss.”
As the car rode off, Osborn turned around and made his way to the hospital……..
Hiding a smirk, Osborn called for the nurse.
“Yes sir?”
“May you call the officer back please,” Osborn sounded as if he was struggling to speak, “Tell him I’m ready to tell him what happened.”
SCENE 23
The sun rose as usual the next morning. As with all mornings, the delivery trucks dropped off the newspapers at their appropriate stands. The business which owns one of those papers, namely the Daily Bugle, was located right in the center of Manhattan. Or as the editor liked to think, the middle of the action.
The hustle and bustle of the reporters, researchers, photographers, etc made the inside of the twenty-five story building appear like it was in the middle of an adrenaline rush while experiencing a caffeine high. But it wasn’t enough for J. Jonah Jameson.
“Why is it that I have not one but THREE breaking stories but NO PICTURES?!!!”
“I don’t know JJ,” the unfazed Ms. Brant said, “Why don’t you ask someone with a camera?”
Jameson whirled on her so fast he almost cracked his neck, “WHO ASKED YOU?!!” after she didn’t respond he bellowed, “WHY IS IT THAT I KEEP YOU AROUND?!!”
Without missing a beat, she replied, “Because of the fact that I am the ONE who makes sure that none of your employees walk, I cash their checks which is something you would probably weep at, and supposedly according to the record books I am the only person capable besides your wife who can endure your rants on a daily basis.”
That shut Jameson up. Well…. Not entirely. He just stopped yelling at her. He then decided to yell at the new nervous intern.
“YOU!!! Winbad!!!!!”
“It’s Baldwin sir,” the intern mumbled.
“I DON’T CARE!!!!! DON’T YOU HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING ON?!”
“I w-w-was kinda working on it until y-y-you called me,” Baldwin barely made a sound.
“WHAT’S THAT SON?! ARE YOU BACK TALKING ME?! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!! DO YOU WANT YOUR PAYCHECK CUT?!!!!”
“I’m an intern sir,” Baldwin kept his head down which concealed his face as his bright blonde hair fell around it.
“WELL THEN YOU’RE EARNING YOUR MONEY’S WORTH AREN’T YOU?!!!!” Jameson stalked off searching for new prey. As an afterthought he added, “CUT YOUR HAIR!!!!!”
His ample new prey presented himself in the appearance of the downtrodden form of Peter Parker.
‘Thank God!’ Jameson thought, ‘A professional!’
“PARKER! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! I NEED PICTURES AND I NEED THEM NOW!!!!”
Parker didn’t seem to hear him which came as a massive surprise to Jonah.
“PARKER?! PARKER?!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Finally shaken out of his reverie Peter asked, “What’s up JJ?”
‘Great! Now he’s a wise guy!’
“WHAT’S UP? I’LL TELL YOU ‘WHAT’S UP’! THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INCIDENTS AND I HAVE ZERO PICTURES!!! NOW, PLEASE TELL ME THAT YOU CAME IN HERE WITH SOME FREAKING PICTURES!!!!!!!”
“I was actually looking for work.”
“WHAT?!” Jameson was taken aback, “YOU’RE TELLING ME THAT YOU DON’T HAVE ANY PICTURES OF THE CONVOY ATTACK LAST NIGHT?!” Peter shook his head. “HOW ABOUT THE BREAK IN AT EMPIRE STATE UNIVERSITY? YOU GO THERE RIGHT?!” Peter nodded. “FINALLY!!! WHERE ARE THE PICTURES?”
“No.”
“NO?”
“I don’t have the photos.”
“THEN WHY ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH DID YOU NOD?!”
“Because you asked if I went to ESU. I do.”
Jameson was this close to throttling Parker, “LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY PARKER. I AM THIS CLOSE TO THROTTLING YOU! NOW, LAST NIGHT THERE WAS A YACHT THAT SANK. SPIDER-MAN WAS INVOLVED. YOU TWO APPEAR TO HAVE SOME KIND OF ARRANGEMENT. NOW TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE YOU SOME PICTURES OF THAT?”
Parker looked straight into his eyes and without blinking said, “No sir.”
“AND WHY NOT?!!!!!”
“Because I was on a date when the yacht thing occurred. I had no idea the other two incidents happened.”
“A DATE?!!! YOU THINK THE NEWS CARES ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?!!!! GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!!!”
Whenever Jameson realized that they were standing right outside his office did he abruptly turn around and shut the door. He slammed the door so hard that Robbie Robertson actually thought that one of the newspaper hangings may have actually fallen in the office. He couldn’t tell because the blinds were closed. But Robbie was used to that. Working for JJ for more than fifteen years will do that to a person.
‘You grow immune,’ he thought.
He noticed Peter just standing in the middle of the newsroom as if the world did not affect him. As if time had lost its meaning. Robbie couldn’t take seeing the kid like this.
“Hey Peter,” Robbie called out.
“Yeah Robbie?” Peter said, shaken out of his reverie.
“Would you mind if you and I spoke privately?”
Peter inclined his head slightly to show acknowledgement. Privacy at a newspaper office was almost next to impossible. But when you are Robbie Robertson, you have access to the roof. When he led Peter up into the crisp morning air, he inhaled deeply.
“Lord, I love the fresh air.” He looked over at Peter, “Sometimes that newsroom gets too stuffy.”
“You wanted to talk to me?”
‘Always straight to the point,’ thought Robbie.
“Well…. Look Peter, I just wanted you to know that not everyone gets to talk to JJ like that and not get yelled at.”
This got a smile to Peter’s face, “Yeah. Thank God he was holding back.”
“Peter, word of caution for next time: come in with some kind of picture. I know you were on a date,” he said anticipating Peter’s objection, “But JJ doesn’t care about that. And quite frankly, as a matter of professionalism, I shouldn’t either. But I can see something is bothering you which is why I’m not pressing you. But if you want JJ to keep you around, then you need to make sure that you have some product to back up what you are saying.”
“Thanks Robbie,” Peter seemed to actually mean it, “But if I may say so, you don’t know my situation. I have been able to make most if not all of my deadlines. I appreciate your concern but I have everything under control.”
“Peter,” instead of offended this concerned Robbie, “This can’t be all about a date. Something happened but I’m not gonna pry. Believe me, my reporting days are over.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Peter then physically loosened up, “I know I screwed up. I was actually coming in to see you if you had any work.”
“Peter,” Robbie began, “Before you go off on another assignment, there’s something you should know.”
“What is it?”
“That ESU attack that JJ mentioned…… We haven’t been authorized to release this information yet, but I heard you talking about writing a paper for him. The incident that happened last night critically injured one of your professors.”
The expression on Peter’s face went from casual to extremely concerned before Robbie had even finished the sentence, “Which professor?”
“A Doctor Curtis Connors.”
“Do you have any details on what happened?”
“There were few eye witnesses. It was late and the attack happened in a closed off lab. But what the witnesses had to say, was that they saw a giant metal man with a horn on his head jump off the fifth floor and run off before anyone could see where he went. Connors was transferred to Glenview Memorial uptown.”
Peter’s demeanor changed from loose to tense. He looked like he was ready to go hunt after whoever did this right then.
“Thanks again Robbie,” he called before he headed for the stairs.
“And Peter!!!” Peter turned around, hand on the door handle, “There’s a press which involves some hot shot District Attorney.”
“What’s his name?”
“Her name is Oksana…… I can’t pronounce her last name. I think she’s from Estonia or something. Anyway, the conference details some of this so-called vigilante activity. Monday at 10:00 am.”
“You got it Robbie,” Peter did a little wave and was gone.
After a few minutes, Robbie just looked out at horizon, “Why is it that bad news always happens on such beautiful days?”
In a matter of minutes, Peter had snuck into an alley and changed into his Spider-man persona. The wind blew past him as he swung uptown towards Glenview Memorial.
‘What would a brute like Rhino want with Doc Connors?’ thought a bewildered Spider-man. ‘Either way I’m gonna find out.’
Peter walked in through the hospital doors as casually as he could manage. Which if he were wanting to, he would have been practically invisible. But Doc Connors was his favorite teacher and Rhino was just mind boggling. It made absolutely no sense. But he would worry about that later. Right then, he had a biology professor to check up on.
Peter was surprised when the doctors actually let him. From the tone in Robbie’s voice, the Doc had been inches from death. But from the tone in the head surgeon’s voice, that was not the case.
“Just go right on in. His wife is in there with him,” the surgeon, Stephen, said.
What Peter saw when he came in was not exactly a pretty sight. Most of Curtis Connor’s body was covered in deep purplish green bruises. His arm and left leg were suspended above him by straps. What had appeared to be welts in the center of the sickening bruises were actually very dark scabs where bones had protruded from his body. Curt’s eyes were bloodshot but he managed a pained smile when Peter walked into his room.
“Peter,” he coughed, “Want some Jell-O?”
The Jell-O was being spoon fed to him by Martha who tearfully smirked, “No you don’t Curt. Doctor’s orders. Last night I was about to become a single mother and I’m not going to let that happen. He said to, and I quote, ‘Eat the Jell-O.’ So you are going to do just that. The surgeon may have been a little strange, but I do know that you getting nearly killed last night caused you to miss dinner.”
Connors managed to lift his hand an inch off the straps, “Okay honey. I know when I’m going to lose a fight.”
After he had finished, Martha wiped off her hands and then shook Peter’s, “Hi. I don’t think that we have met.”
“Peter Parker.”
“Martha Connors. So……” she paused, “You’re the student that Curt won’t stop ranting about.”
“Huh?”
“Oh yes.” She then went on to do an acceptable imitation of Curt’s voice, “That Parker has a brilliant mind. Too bad he can’t seem to find the time to pass my class. Or show up on time. Or tie his shoes-“
“Hey!” Curt said with a chuckle, “I never mentioned his shoes. But now that you mention it….”
This banter went on for almost half an hour. But when Martha had to go to the bathroom, Connors motioned to Peter to come closer.
“You know its astounding that I’m alive.” He whispered. “I actually managed to convince the surgeon to embellish a few of the more minute details.”
“What do you mean?”
“Peter, the last thing I can recall from last night is that mechanical beast Rhino looming over me and slamming me through a wall. From what the doctor told me, I shouldn’t even be talking. The amount of blood I lost last night and the trauma alone would have killed any other person. I got him to not tell my wife how impossible it is that she was able to feed me that abominable Jell-O.”
“What did the surgeon do to relieve the trauma and jumpstart the healing process?”
“I don’t know.” And with this Connors burst into a full fledged grin, “But it worked!”
“Hey Doc, do you know why-“
“I got pizza from the cafeteria!” Martha interrupted as she walked back in, “Who wants some?”
“No thanks Mrs. Connors,” Peter hurriedly replied, “I’ve got two classes in about forty-five minutes.”
“Not even one slice?”
“No ma’am. Thank you though.” Peter then made it his life goal to get as far away from the hospital food as fast as his genetically enhanced legs could carry him.
I hope you enoyed this short breather in the hectic life of Peter Parker. Even though it hasn't really been a break for him.
Now for those of you who have just entered into this world I'mtrying to develop, you will find the rest of the adventures of The Sensational Spider-man along with a few other things, right here:
MARVEL:
Spider-man Part I Spider-man Part II Spider-man Part III Spider-man Part IV Spider-man Part V Spider-man Part VI Secret War The Initiative Doctor Strange DC:
Batman 3 Now keep an eye out for Part VIII where a certain hunter comes prowling into the Big Apple!
By the way, I added cameos for two characters. Who can point them out?
Sound off in the comments!