A/N: This will be a series of short stories about life in the Marvel Universe. However, heroes (and villains) won't necessarily be the stars of these pieces. Instead, the series will focus on how ordinary (and not-so ordinary) people deal with day-to-day life in an extraordinary world.
Please note that all events occur before Civil War. Which was amazing.
We begin with a television program entitled:
HEROES TONIGHT!
With Your Hosts, Ana Parks and Steve Reget
Ana: Hello, and welcome to Heroes Tonight!
Steve: The show that lets you know the LATEST about your favorite men and women of mystery!
Ana: Tonight, we'll be speaking with with Rick Jones about his new book, we'll hear the latest in gossip from Sheila Terrise, interview the award-wmning photographer Peter Parker, andspeak with one of the longest lasting couples within the superhero community.
Steve: Sounds great, but first, all of us here at Heroes Tonight would like to wish Ben Grimm a very happy birthday. Happy Birthday, Thing! We all hope you keep clobberin' for many many years to come!
Ana: And now, he's the aauthor of "Gentle Giant: My Years with the Hulk", Rick Jones!
(Rick's face appears in a miniscreen in the upper right corner. The words Live from Colorado are written across the bottom)
Rick: Hi Ana! Great to be on the show.
Ana: Great having you. Tell us, why did you feel the need to write this book?
Rick: Well Ana, the Hulk gets a lot of bad press, most of it from the military. I thought it was time someone told the otherside of that story. Y'know, how the Hulk's saved the world about a dozen times or so. So, I wrote down a few of the better stories, and next thing I know I'm on the Bestseller list!
Ana: Weren't you ever frightened by your traveling compainion?
Rick: Sometimes a little. I mean, the Hulk is so strong he might have hurt me without meaning to. Most of the trouble he caused was accidental. But, on the otherhand, if you're traveling with the Hulk, who's going to bother you, right?
Ana: hahaha, guess not too many people. But, isn't it true that the military sought to block your book from being published?
Rick: Yeah. They said it was because it gave away military secrets, about the gamma bomb and Hulkbusters and such. But I think it was because the army doesn't exactly come off as heroes in most of these stories. I mean, they spent billions of dollars and several years hunting a creature who just wanted to be left alone.
Ana: Thanks for being with us Rick. I for one reaaly enjoyed reading your book. Now over to Sheila with this weeks Super-gossip! Sheila?
Sheila Terrisse: Thanks Ana. Well, the buzz from Tinseltown is that one superhero will be making a return to the big screen. That's right, the Avenger's Wonderman will be starring in Minimaxi's upcoming Minuteman. In a departure for the hunky hero, he will play a regular human during the Revolutioary War. Sounds like a hit to me.
Sheila: A more sensational rumor comes to us from the Superhero capital of the world, New York City. The word on the street is that SpiderMAN and SpiderWOMAN may be more than just colleagues. Following their battle against Doctor Octopus, many in the Big Apple have come to believe there may be a more intimate connection between the Spiderpeople. Take a look.
(Video of Spiderman and Spiderwoman battling Doc Ock followed interviews with witnesses)
Police Officer: Well, I mean they worked so well together. Like they were a perfect team wit' years of experience, y'know? Plus there was a lot of banter; he was cracking jokes left an' right an' she was flirting like nobody's business.
Well dressed Woman: Wlell. I think its obvious. SpiderMAN, SpiderWOMAN. Obviously they've been dating for a while, if they aren't married.
Firefighter: I dunno, the way they look out for one another kinda reminds me of my own parents, who were both cops. Always watching one anotheres back.
Sheila:Are the Spiderpeople a Spidercouple? We'll keep you updated. Now over to you, Steve.
(Steve sits across from Peter Parker on a different set. Peter has a look on his face that mixes horror, embarassment and terror)
Steve: Thanks Sheila. Quite a rumor. Before we start the interview, what doYOU think, peter? I mean, you probably know as much about Spiderman as anyone.
Peter:…w-well I, uh, that is…ahem. I don't think its true, to be honest with you. I mean, I've been snapping pictures of Spiderman for years, and I've only ever seen him with Spiderwoman about a half-dozen times. I mean, I've seen him with the black Cat MUCH more often. N-Not that there's anything between THEM either! And I'd just like to say hello to my lovely, talented, kindhearted, amazing and UNDERSTANDING wife, Mary-Jane. I have a feeling we'll have lots to talk about later.
Steve: Ha ha, you lucky dog. Anyway, as you yourself said, you've taken more photos of Spiderman than anyoe else. Tell us what made you decide to specialize in the Webhead. Do you two have some sort of arrangement, or what?
Peter: Well, I never actually decided that. It just kind of turned out that way. I mean, the guy's not exactly low profile. And my old boss loves to hate Spiderman, so there was a ready market for photos of him. So, I just keep my eyes open, and rush to whereever he's been seen.
Steve: Lets talk about your boss for a little while. JJ Jameson is one of Spidermans biggest detractors, and yet you seem to have no trouble working for him. I mean, any newspaper in the city would be thrilled to have you on staff, yet you remain content to freelance for the Daily Bugle. Why?
Peter: Well, part of it is the staff. I mean, I've been freelancing for them since I was a teenager, so the Bugle staff has become like a second family to me. A lot of times, there were problems in my life I felt I couldn't talk about with anyone, only to unload to Robbie Robertson or betty Brant or one of the others.
Steve: UhHuh.
Peter: And another thing is, ol' JJJ isn't really that bad a person. Yes, he hates Spiderman, and costumed heroes in general. On the other hand, he's risked his life to expose organized crime, he's passionately fought for civil rights, he's totally free of racial, sexual, religious or genetic a/n: anti-mutant prejudice. He's always paid me afair price for my photos, and probably a more than fair price when he knew I neede money. He's not going to win mister congeniality anytime soon, but I can think of far worse bosses to have.
Steve: hahaha. That's great, peter. Tell me, what would you say your favorite photo is?
Peter:hmmm… well, I won an award for that photo I took of Spiderman in his black costume battling the Puma, but in truth, I'd have to say it was the shot of Spideran's last battle against the Jackal. Excellent resolution, and an action-packed shot.
Steve:you mentioned your wife earlier. What's it like married to the star of Secret hospital, and fashion model, Mary-Jane Watson Parker?
Peter: hahahaha. Well, despite being asked that everyday, its not really something I can put into words yet. I hope to be able to come up with an answer over the next few decades. All I can say is, she's the best thig that ever happened to me. No woman I've ever met can even begin to make me feel as complete as she does.
Steve: Thanks Peter, I hope you keep on clicking. Back to you Ana.
Ana: Thanks Steve. And as a personal note to Mister Parker, I thought your first photo of the wallcrawler was the best. Our last piece tonght is an interview with the longest-lasting couple in Herodom, please give a warm welcome to Reed and Sue Richards!
Sue: Hi Ana! I love this show!
Reed: Pleased to be here Ana.
Ana: Mr and Mrs Richards, tell us. You;ve been together for nearly twenty years now, in a business where couples come and go overnight. Is everything as perfect as it seems?
Reed: Well, Ana, I suppose we're no different than any other couple really. We have our little arguments, marital spats. There're times when Sue won't give me my space, or when I'm too distracted. We argue over work like other couples who work together. Though (chuckles) I very much doubt other couples argue over how to save the planet, or what to do about Latveria.
Ana: Would you say there were any close calls? Times you didn't think you could make it together?
Sue: its sad to say but yes. There've been times when the arguing and the fighting got so bad, we thought about divorce. Over children, for example. There was a point when I was desperate to be a mother- I could feel my biological clock ticking, or so I thought. But Reed was worried about what the cosmic rays might have done to our DNA.
Reed: I wanted to study the issue more before we made any decisions. I wanted to eb sure a child of ours would be relatively healthy, and that pregnancy wouldn't endanger Sue. But, I suppose I phrased it badly…
Sue: Yes, dear. As I recall, your words were "I want to be sure itturns out the way we want".
Reed (wincing);Well, I was too worried to really think before I spoke…
Sue: I know, and eventually we agreed to wait a while longer.
Ana: What tips would you give a married couple just starting out?
Reed: Hmm… well, first off never go to bed angry. Settle the problem when it occurs, don't let it fester.
Sue:Men, make time to communicate with your wives.
Reed:Women, remember that men are often less verbal than you are. He may not want to talk all the time.
Sue:and be sure to keep your love lives as exciting as possible.
Ana (raising an eyebrow): Oh? Care to comment further on that?
Reed (Blushing furiously): NO! She wouldn't!
Sue:Let's just say that I'm very glad that Reed has the power to stretch…EVERY…part of his body. And for his general…flexibility
Reed:SUE!!
Sue: Trust me, sweetie. You have nothing to be ashamed of.
Reed: (puts his head in his hands and groans)
meanwhile at Four Freedoms Plaza, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm are on the floor in paroxysms of laughter. Alicia Masters is on the couch, covering her mouth to hide her own giggles
Ana: Thanks Sue, Reed. This has been very enlightening and that's all the time we have folks.
Steve: join us next week when we'll be interviewing occultist and celebrity hypnotist Steven Strange, and the monarch of Latveria, Doctor Doom!
Ana: I just hope they aren't on the same set together.
Steve:haha, good night America!
The End