Greenest Night Part 2
Who: Norman, Wilson Where: Osborn Industries When: June 16, late evening What: SCIENCE! Rating: PG-13 for language
"Damn it General! The serum works, we just need time to stabilize it! We can still go through with the contract..."
"Time I'm afraid you don't have Mr Osborn. The bidding period ends today and you don't have a product that I can take to the Pentagon. Justin Hammer does. Better luck next year."
"Take your luck and stick it in the same place you do with your mistress, General. I've worked too hard for you to walk away from this. You want a finished product? I'll show you a finished product!" Norman flung his phone against the wall, cracking the case and sending the battery skittering across the floor. Wilson stood nervously by the door.
"You!" Norman leaped from his chair and grabbed the man by his collar. "We have work to do Wilson. Come with me if you want to live." He stalked out his office door and to the elevator, Wilson stumbling to keep up.
* * *
Three hours later Norman stood in front of a computer terminal, a manic grin on his face. "There it is Wilson! All this time they couldn't get it right, and there it is. I should have known it would take me to finish the job. Now to test it." He looked up eagerly to his assistant, who paled visibly. "Oh, not on you Wilson. Do you really think I'd leave something this important to you? Here." Norman entered a series of commands into his terminal. "Wait until I'm secured in the chamber and then just press Enter. Can you manage that at least? Good."
"Are you sure this is a good idea sir? I thought there were some...stability problems with the test subjects before now."
"Wilson, I built this company from the ground up. I was rewriting the rules of chemistry when your grandfather was holding a shotgun to your dad for knocking up his little girl. I know what I'm doing." Unbuttoning his shirt Norman climbed into the treatment chamber, quickly securing a series of needles into his arm and strapping himself in. "Now throw the switch Igor. Let's show those fools what Norman Industries is capable of."
"Yes sir." Wilson reluctantly pressed Enter, and the machine lit up like a Christmas tree. The glass lid slid closed around Norman and the IV pumps started up with a whirr. "Everything alright sir?"
"So far so go..." Norman suddenly cut off with a choking hiss. He arched back, lurching against the restraints as the veins in his neck bulged. The medical monitors started blaring warning signs.
"Mr Osborn?" Wilson went to the control panel, reaching for the shutoff switch.
"Nnno!" Norman managed to choke out, his breathing ragged. "Ittt's worrrrking!" Wilson looked unconvinced but stepped back. A few moments later the spasms subsided and the monitors quieted down. Norman's eyes fluttered and he slumped back as the treatment ran its course, the tanks drained.
Wilson hit the switch to open the lid, releasing a hiss of steam. Stepping up to the machine he was taken aback. The serum seemed to have worked; Norman's musculature had increased dramatically. The man was pushing fifty but now had the body of a twenty year old. "Sir?" He gently prodded his boss. "Are you alri-hurk!" Norman's hand shot out, snapping the restraint like tissue paper and clamping down on Wilson's throat. A bloodcurdling cackle filled the lab as Norman stepped out of the chamber.
"It worked Wilson! It worked perfectly. I knew it could be done!" Glancing over to his assistant Norman noticed the man was dangling several inches off the ground. "Oh, sorry about that." He dropped Wilson to the ground where the man lay gasping. Norman flexed his hand. "Hm. Norman Osborn, now with Kung-Fu Action Grip. I LIKE it!" He stepped around, looking at his reflection in the glass lid. "Looking good Norman." He turned a few times, taking in his new physique.
"Should I call the General sir?" Wilson managed to cough out as he stood.
"That fool? No, I don't think so. This is far too good to share." Norman's face lit up with a diabolic smile. "I think I will pay him a visit though. And maybe Mr. Hammer too..." He spun away, heading for the elevator. "Quickly Wilson, to the tech lab! Hm, you know what we need? A quicker way to get to the tech lab. Maybe some kind of slide or fireman's pole. We could put it over there, behind that shelf..."