Prelude to Destiny
By
Carolyne Smythe
"BUZZZZ!" sounded an alarm clock. Benjamin Jacob Grimm immediately swung an arm over his back to turn off the small contraption. Instead, he caused the clock to fall from the nightstand beside his bed, thus making him get up to search for it under the immense piece of furniture. About a dozen mumbled curses, and a few bumps on the head later, the muscular, red-haired man found what awakened him, and did a cross between a yawn and a sigh as he placed the clock back on the nightstand. Ben proceeded to sit down on his bed, and let out a few more yawns while he stretched. Once he felt more awake, he began to smile, and thought to himself.
"Today's the big day! My best buddy's rocket is gettin' ready to be complete, and me, Suzie, and Johnny are going to prepare for that big party for him and that girl of his."
Normally, Ben would quickly get into his clothes, eat his breakfast, and head to one of two places. These places would be the airbase twenty miles away where he was a test pilot, or wherever his moonlighting job was, be it a taxi driver or doing an odd job for anyone whom considered him a friend within Central City, California. But instead, Ben would be taking the day off to spend time with the ones who were his best friends. As he took his time getting dressed, and doing the rest of his morning routine, Ben thought long and hard about how that very day was going to be the oldest of his friends, Dr. Reed Richards' most memorable.
"Good ol' Reed has poured his heart and soul into that rocket. A man like him can sure use a party after over ten years of doing hard work like that. Not to mention all of the money he's poured into that thing."
Ben had always been proud of Reed's achievements, from the numerous degrees he had received in college, to the patents for his many inventions. He knew in the eyes and mind of his intelligent friend that those were very miniscule compared to the rocket that was almost completed, except for one minor aspect, shielding. Everyone in Central City knew about the interstellar vehicle one way or another. Since nothing much happened in Central City, Reed and his stepdaughter were always the talk of the town. Being one of the most brilliant scientists in the nation and all, Reed was always stereotyped as being rather eccentric. Ben did not need to be reminded of this, for the very few friends he chatted with at Central City's only tavern reminded him through their little jokes and kidding around. During the times Ben talked to him, Reed acted extremely subtle about his publicity, but Ben knew better.
"Reed can hide it all he wants. But, I know deep down, he and Mary are enjoyin' everybody talkin' about them in some way."
After viewing the Good Morning California show on the television, Ben glanced at the watch on his left wrist. It read ten o'clock.
"Well, guess I better get goin' if I'm gonna help Suzie and Johnny."
Ben said to himself, as he went to get his wallet from the top of the dresser in his room. Then, he came out and picked up his car keys from the table near his apartment's entrance, and headed out, and down the stairs towards the street below.
By
Carolyne Smythe
"BUZZZZ!" sounded an alarm clock. Benjamin Jacob Grimm immediately swung an arm over his back to turn off the small contraption. Instead, he caused the clock to fall from the nightstand beside his bed, thus making him get up to search for it under the immense piece of furniture. About a dozen mumbled curses, and a few bumps on the head later, the muscular, red-haired man found what awakened him, and did a cross between a yawn and a sigh as he placed the clock back on the nightstand. Ben proceeded to sit down on his bed, and let out a few more yawns while he stretched. Once he felt more awake, he began to smile, and thought to himself.
"Today's the big day! My best buddy's rocket is gettin' ready to be complete, and me, Suzie, and Johnny are going to prepare for that big party for him and that girl of his."
Normally, Ben would quickly get into his clothes, eat his breakfast, and head to one of two places. These places would be the airbase twenty miles away where he was a test pilot, or wherever his moonlighting job was, be it a taxi driver or doing an odd job for anyone whom considered him a friend within Central City, California. But instead, Ben would be taking the day off to spend time with the ones who were his best friends. As he took his time getting dressed, and doing the rest of his morning routine, Ben thought long and hard about how that very day was going to be the oldest of his friends, Dr. Reed Richards' most memorable.
"Good ol' Reed has poured his heart and soul into that rocket. A man like him can sure use a party after over ten years of doing hard work like that. Not to mention all of the money he's poured into that thing."
Ben had always been proud of Reed's achievements, from the numerous degrees he had received in college, to the patents for his many inventions. He knew in the eyes and mind of his intelligent friend that those were very miniscule compared to the rocket that was almost completed, except for one minor aspect, shielding. Everyone in Central City knew about the interstellar vehicle one way or another. Since nothing much happened in Central City, Reed and his stepdaughter were always the talk of the town. Being one of the most brilliant scientists in the nation and all, Reed was always stereotyped as being rather eccentric. Ben did not need to be reminded of this, for the very few friends he chatted with at Central City's only tavern reminded him through their little jokes and kidding around. During the times Ben talked to him, Reed acted extremely subtle about his publicity, but Ben knew better.
"Reed can hide it all he wants. But, I know deep down, he and Mary are enjoyin' everybody talkin' about them in some way."
After viewing the Good Morning California show on the television, Ben glanced at the watch on his left wrist. It read ten o'clock.
"Well, guess I better get goin' if I'm gonna help Suzie and Johnny."
Ben said to himself, as he went to get his wallet from the top of the dresser in his room. Then, he came out and picked up his car keys from the table near his apartment's entrance, and headed out, and down the stairs towards the street below.