Chapter 2: In The Orange City
DIXON'S 24-HOUR COFFEE SHOP- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA:
"Old Parker luck…" Peter grumbled as he nursed a cup of coffee.
A barista walked up to the Daily Bugle photographer.
"Hey there, handsome. What's a guy like you doing here?" she asked.
"I'm a newspaper photographer and closest thing to a journalist they could send out here to cover a music company's press conference. And I've got jet lag." Peter replied.
"Where're you staying?"
"Currently nowhere. My reservation got cancelled at the last minute because the hotel was being fumigated, and where am I going to check into a hostel at two in the morning?"
The barista spun one of her earrings.
"Well, there's a place up in the Beverley Hills. It's called Starlight Mansion-"
"Sounds like someone's house to me. I'll take my chances in a motel."
"Hear me out, buddy. I happen to live there, and the owner'll let you crash there for as long as you need."
Peter sighed.
"Thanks, M-"
"Holloway. Laura Holloway. I'll drive you there when my shift ends in an hour."
Peter nodded and sunk into his chair.
TWO HOURS LATER:
"How was work, Laura?"
"Fine, Jess. Brought someone home with me."
Jessica Benton sighed.
"I thought we'd talked about d-"
At that moment, a very groggy Peter Parker dragged himself to the front door.
"We met a few hours ago. He's with the press."
Peter nodded as Jessica turned her gaze upon him.
"Who are you, exactly?"
"Peter Parker, Daily Bugle. I'm here to cover a Starlight Music press conference, and I had trouble finding a place to stay."
Jessica sighed.
"You can stay here, Mister Parker. Now let's get you to bed."
"Okay, Miss- what's your name?"
"Benton. Jessica Benton."
"Thanks for letting me crash here, Miss Benton." Peter yawned.