see how the boy falls from the sky. spider-man. (websanysize) wrote in thequadrangle, @ 2011-03-01 15:26:00 |
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Entry tags: | spider-man |
WHO: Peter Parker and Norman Osborn (as played by Kait)
WHERE: Peter and Matt’s dorm room
WHAT: Norman drops in and gives Peter a contract. Peter smells something fishy.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 1st, early afternoon
Harry was a wreck. Everything had to be perfect. He’d cleaned his room three times over, he’d obsessed over the right thing to wear. He made sure that his school books were all out on the desk, to look like he’d recently been studying before being interrupted. After hitting “SEND” on his smartphone, Norman Osborn tucked it into the breast pocket of his jacket. Harry could afford to wait a little longer. He had more pressing matters at hand. He knocked on Peter Parker’s dormitory door. Peter had forgotten that Norman was coming in today. He was too busy getting things together for the rally and doing his school work. Peter had just gotten out of class, running back to his room to dump his books and grab his camera so he could meet Felicia in the student center. He was all about gluing glitter and shiny stuff to posters and … come on, he was her boyfriend. If Maya and Matt went and he didn’t, he’d look like an ass, and rightly so. He was sure it was Felicia at the door, coming by to surprise him or remind him, so when he answered he started with, “I’m on my way out, let me get my shoes----” ...Oh. “Mr. Osborn?” Norman Osborn smiled politely, surprisingly warm when he said, “Peter! How are you?” He took a moment to glance into the dorm room before letting himself in. His black suit seemed out of place in the room, particularly on Matt’s side, where everything was secondhand and threadbare. “I’m great---actually I was just about to leave, but I bet Harry’s free---” “Mm? Oh, Harry’s free, he’s waiting for me. I arranged to meet him but it was more important that I meet with you, first. Let me ask you again: How are you?” Slower this time, more patient. Norman didn’t care that Peter had to leave. This was going to take as long as it had to. “I’m great,” Peter repeated, straightening his shirt before shoving his feet into his shoes. “I have a thing. My girlfriend’s doing this anti-violence rally last night and I promised to help out for the college newspaper. Pictures, posters, you know.” All the not-being-here kind of stuff. “I’m supposed to be there already and I kind of look like a jerk if I don’t show up, so...” “You’ll get there,” said Norman. “I only require a few minutes of your time. If you’re already late, a few minutes won’t make a difference.” He smiled. “Have a seat, please.” He pulled a folder from under his arm, opening it up. And then, as an afterthought, he added: “I’m sorry, this isn’t open for discussion. Have a seat.” Peter felt suspiciously like he was on that episode of South Park with Chris Hansen. He hesitated, shoving his other foot into his other shoe, before caving. Instinct was to have a seat on the wall, and everyone here who knew him was used to that, but … nngh, it was Norman, so he sat down on his bed. “All right, shoot.” “I’ve heard from Harry that you transferred here because of its powers-friendly program,” said Norman carefully, “and that you acquired special ‘abilities’ a few years ago after an accident at one of my laboratories.” “Yeah.” Would you like it signed in ink or blood, Mr. Osborn? Peter’s feet fidgeted. “And it was one of our spiders?” Norman pulled several sheets of paper from the folder. “Yeah, I think so.” Norman nodded. “First of all, on behalf of OsCorp I’d like to extend a formal apology regarding your condition. It wasn’t something you signed up for, and while your purported list of abilities----super strength, agility, reflexes, et cetera----are all desired traits that we one day hope to make available for humans, the accident gave you these abilities without your permission.” “I’m not mad at anybody,” Peter assured him. “I’m okay. No real ill effects, I’m not shooting webbing out my butt or anything. But thank you.” Norman chuckled softly. “Mm. You’re welcome, Peter.” He took the desk chair and brought it over so he could sit down with him. “I’m very pleased to hear that you’re all right. Now, as I’m sure you’re aware if you’re continuing to keep up with OsCorp research, our ultimate goal in these experiments is to create modifications to improve the human condition. Make us less fragile, as it were. More capable of surviving on this dangerous planet. A shift of a few degrees in the global climate and most of us would die. A slight change in atmospheric pressure. You are, in essence, human----but you also are an ideal example of OsCorp technology at work.” Peter watched him carefully, warily nodding. “Okay. So … what do you want me to do?” “Legally speaking, Peter, you’re now the holder of stolen OsCorp property,” said Norman. “Not intentionally, but you have enhancements thanks to OsCorp that we didn’t authorize. You and I need to sit down and hammer out an arrangement, in which you acknowledge that your abilities are from OsCorp and we acknowledge our responsibility for you.” “I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that you already have something written up.” Norman Osborn never showed up unprepared for anything. Norman offered the papers out, as well as a pen. “We can go over it if you like. Hire a lawyer, if you feel you need to. Essentially it boils down to this: signing these papers will barely affect your life. In the event that something occurs----health problems, an accident, anything----OsCorp will handle it, all expenses paid. We’d also like to bring you in for some clinical tests at some point, have you check in with us from time to time, to help us along with our research. You’re our first human test subject, after all. ---Which, by the way, you will be compensated for.” Peter reached out to take the papers, leaving the pen in Norman’s hand. “You’re, um. You’re staying in town, right? Today’s really busy and I’d really like to sit and read this on my own, if that’s all right with you. I’ll call you tomorrow, just … you know, busy. Rally and stuff, schoolwork.” Norman smiled warmly. “Of course, Peter. Take your time. Consider this a safety net. I understand that your aunt has struggled financially for some while now after your uncle’s death----moving to Texas is definitely a wise move if seeking for lower living costs, and she gets to live near you... but OsCorp is responsible for what happened to you and we want to make sure you’re properly reimbursed. We’re here for you. I’m here for you.” “Thank you.” Peter forced a bit of a smile. It was probably more convincing than it felt. “And thanks for coming to me in person, it’s a lot less weird than getting a phone call or something. ---Harry’s been excited about seeing you for days, by the way, you might wanna go say hi before he pees himself or something.” Norman blinked, as if he’d forgotten all about Harry. “I did say I’d meet him,” he said, checking his watch. “I’ll get your number from him and give you a call, Peter. I’m excited to discuss some of my new research with you. And keep up with your education----signing these papers could be the start of quite a partnership. If Harry’s not careful, you might just wind up running OsCorp one day.” He chuckled and headed for the door. “Haha. Funny. That’s a really funny … funny joke. You have a nice day, Mr. Osborn.” Out. Away. Out of the dorm room in places where Peter wasn’t. He had a really bad feeling about all this. |