A few days passed since the robbery incident and for moment it seemed that a sense of normalcy was returning, Reed was now working on HERBIE ver 2.0 with Morgan helping him put together new scrap parts from their recent dumpster dive trip at the junkyard.
MORGAN: Man this version of HERBIE is gonna be betta than the last one you made
REED: Yup...we're almost done
MORGAN: How you comin along with the computer stuff?
REED: computer stuff!?
MORGAN: Ain't you said you got some code to put in HERBIE or sumthin
REED: You mean programming..yeah bro I'm almost finished with that as well
MORGAN: Niiiiicccceeeee!
Reed and Morgan chuckled together, constructing a new version of HERBIE was relaxing for Reed but at the same time Reed recollected his encounter with Ben and the Police and he knew deep down Ben had committed a crime or at least was an accomplice to it, yet he can't comprehend his irrational decision to let Ben off the hook and worse cover up for him when it was obvious what Ben was up to. The chemicals from the school lab were stolen and used for the break-in at the Jewellry store. Just then Reed and Morgan's Mom entered the room
MOM: Come on you two, time to get to school..I gotta jet now or else I'mma be late for work
Reed & Morgan's Mom got through with a new job working at MTA as a train/rail worker which is mainly a shift work. The job itself is toll but at least it gets the bills paid and ensures that food is on the table. Reed & Morgan were glad she got through, to them at least something finally came through for once, Reed figured if you do pursue hard enough you can end up landing in an opportunity or sometimes create your own.
REED: Yeah Moms we'll be there in a sec
MORGAN: Come on Ma we're almost done here!
Their mother just smiled and went downstairs to prepare a quick breakfast and then turned on their old radio to listen in on the morning news and weather update. Reed and Morgan finally put together the last piece of scrap material and finished with HERBIE ver 2.0 now the last part was the programming which would be completed mainly by Reed himself.
REED (High fives Morgan): Ha! Ha! Well done bro, this might be our best work yet
MORGAN: Yeah bro, when you become famous you betta let be your business partner or sumthin
REED: Of course man! your'e my #1 lab assistant...always
Reed then wrestles his brother under his arm and scratches his head knowing the itching feeling will annoy Morgan
MORGAN: Hey! Hey! cut it out man!
The two boys went downstairs to grab their breakfast and lunch to head off for school, Where the radio on the end had the news segment on and suddenly annoucned news about the robbery at the Jewllery which turned up new evidence on who the assailant might be.
RADIO: This just in...the recent break in at Devine Jewllry Store has just turned up new evidence, where lead investigators discovered two decaying bodies underneath the sewerage access. The bodies are yet to be identified, since then the only evidence obtained was a black hoodie found by one of our fellow officers but now, this new evidence suggest that this robbery might've taken a dreadful turn for worse.
Reed suddenly felt sick hearing that, he quickly turned off the radio, now there were dead bodies involved and that means one of the accomplices turned on them and ran off with the stolen jewellry and probably tried to frame Ben since he's still relatively new to East side New York. Reed further deduced that Ben must've seen the bodies and would know of the two murdered people, in essence Ben is the sole witness and at the same time accomplice. Ben wouldn't want to come clean because that would lead to his arrest and being tried as a criminal now, escpecially since from what he heard on the rumors with Ben being a juvenile and on a three count strike, this robbery would be counted as a third strike. This lead Reed to be in deep thought as his little brother woke him out of his pensive phase.
MORGAN: YO! REED! LET'S GO!
REED: Huh sorry!
MORGAN: Damn bro, you didn't even notice Moms left already
Reed now saw that it was just the two of them now in the kitchen and then found himself back to reality.
REED: Uh yeah sorry let's get a move on
Reed and Morgan made their way to their respective schools through a new route Reed scouted to dodge the dangerous lanes and side streets where the drug dealers and pimps lay. As Reed entered he already saw groups of students standing outside, a majority of them looked distraught and sad. Reed felt the atmosphere changed to a melancholy tone, he hoped that the news he heard from the radio would not have any ties to what piece of news he might be presented with at school. Reed motioned to one of the students in the huddled group to inquire on what is going on at school.
REED: Hey man, can you holla at me for a sec!?
STUDENT: Sure bra
REED: What's goin!? Someone died or sumthin!?
STUDENT: Well from what I've heard dude three students went missin and haven't returned, it's been almost a week now an no one seen em
REED: Damn...this is serious
STUDENT: Tch ya think!? It's only gonna get worse, we think it had sumthin to do with the dead bodies found in the sewers
REED (feeling awful): Umm...I see, heard there was a robbery at the Jewllry store nearby that location
STUDENT: Yo...for real, those guys were always up to no good though, could have serious ties but we'll soon see, for now the Principal's tryin to keep it under wraps
REED: Yeah it'll give the school a bad rep, gotta keep it on the down low
STUDENT: Well from what I've heard those three guys always hang around that big dude that moved in not too long ago
REED (in a sickly voice): BEN!..gulp..
STUDENT: Yeah that's the big red head dude with the freckles...yeah, saw him went in the Principal's Office along with his folks. Makes sense ya know, he's always hangin around with em
REED: Yeah betta to start there right!?
STUDENT: Guess so...gotta go be seeing ya
This was easy to deduce for Reed, Ben would soon be compromised and Reed know Ben would probably try to lie about the whole incident and forget it to try to move on, but there were dead people involved and a jewellry store robbed of its' items. Justice must be served one way or Bell rang signaling time for home room period, as Reed was making his way to his class room he then noticed Ben, a short, stubly and hairy guy accompained with a voluptuous young lady emerged from the Principal's office. Ben then noticed Reed and bowed his head low watching the ground as if ashamed to see him. Reed went into the classroom where the usual activities were taking place, he took his seat near the window as the Home room teacher came in to make this morning's announcements.
HOME ROOM TEACHER: Okay class as usual preparations for the upcoming Home-coming dance is underway but before that I'll like to make an annoucement
Suddenly the class went quiet as if they already suspected what their home-room teacher was going to annouce
HOME ROOM TEACHER: As you may know three of our students went missing a few days ago but now the Police Dept have turned up with news that two of three have now been recently found...
The students straightened up to hear more of what will be said
HOME ROOM TEACHER: It appears they tried to commit a robbery but were apparently killed after the successful attempt
Some students shuddered at the news, others still looked at the Teacher with worry and dread
HOME ROOM TEACHER: From what reports have gathered is that the safe inside the store was broken by acidic chemical compounds, funny thing is that not too long ago someone broke into the lab to
steal said compounds.
Reed was right as he focused his gaze outside the window to try and distract himself from further news.
HOME ROOM TEACHER: And now there's a chance that one of three might still be attending this school, it's also alleged to believe that the third person murdered the other two..now I can't really say
why someone would do that, I guess I'll chalk that up to greed but the Principal wants us to be vigilant, mindful and most importantly careful...
Just then Ben Grimm entered the room, his entrance seem to have broken the silence. He watched everyone and then went to his seat in the back of the class.
HOME ROOM TEACHER: Anyway as I was saying be careful and if you notice anything out of the ordinary, do not hestitate to see me or your Principal. For now school will continue as usual, news of
this getting out will have a bad outlook on us and that's the last thing we want. Let's be grateful that the Police Dept is working with us to put this case to bed.
The Students then watched each other with a look of fear and concern, one of their own students is a potential killer and could probably still be attending this school. Reed knew better though, the killer would most likely not return after committing such a dreadful act, the only person who knew the most was Ben and he's sure Ben didn't say much to the Principal and the Police Dept. Reed would corner Ben before he goes to class to try and get some sort of information on what happened at the office. As Reed thought about this the bell rang signaling end of home room period, time to act was now.
REED: Hmph betta act now
As the students were shuffling there way out through the exit Reed spotting Ben from behind along with a group of jocs, one of them already giving Ben a small jovial punch in the arm. Reed thought for a moment that Ben moved on pretty fast already making friends with another social clique.
JOC #1: Yo Ben don't forget dude, see ya at practice
BEN: Yeah yeah heard ya the first time...take it easy will ya!
JOC #2: Hey it's that dweeb Richards!
JOC #3: What you want smart-ass!?
Reed ignoring the taunts and jeers, focused on Ben with a serious look on face eyes matching Bens to get his attention and convey his message with urgent severity
REED: Yo Ben can we talk for sec, it'll only be a minute
JOC #1: Hey get lost dofus!
BEN: Easy fellas, I'll catch with you guys later alright!
The Jocs then turned away from Ben and head to their respective classes as Ben followed Reed along the hallway and stopped at a nearby water cooler to have a brief chat. Ben already knew what Reed was going to ask him but allowed Reed to talk first.
REED: I know about the robbery you were involved in, come on man...you know damn well who's the one responsible for killin those two students
BEN: Hey! Hey! keep it down will ya! The hell's wrong with you!?
REED: Are you gonna come clean or not!?
BEN: Listen alright...I jus can't, I can't do it
REED: Why!?
BEN: I think you already know the answer to that
REED: Really...well then enlighten me
BEN: Back then, I mean before I moved here...I was into alot of heavy shit, gangs, drugs...the whole she-bang
REED: Hmmmm go on
BEN: It was mostly my brother but I tagged along for the ride...then we got in real deep and My brother got thrown in jail, I got off cuz I wuz still too young at the time
REED: I see you were tried and treated as a juvenile
BEN: My bro took the wrap for me, I mean he always took the wrap for me even before our folks died
On hearing Ben mentioned his Parents dead he felt sad and wanted to empathize with Ben, Reed knew what it was like to lose a Parent, he also realized the troubled environment Ben had to deal with, it's partially the reason why he always mixes with the wrong crowd because of growing up in a circumstance where there is little to get by with. Then Reed remembered the short elderly guy and the young lady escorting him out the Principal's Office earlier today.
REED: I see...so the short guy and the young lady who were with you at the Principal's office
BEN: That's my Uncle Jake and his wife...they took me in
Reed shocked at the young woman being Ben's aunt.
REED (puzzled facial expression): Really..that young lady is your Uncle's wife, damn he got game
BEN: Are you friggin kiddin me!? I'm talkin bout my tortured past an all you can get from that is my Uncle's Wife!? Jeezus your'e a creep
REED (chuckling): Heh Heh sorry man!
Then suddenly something strange happened with Reed chuckling seemed to have a contagious effect on Ben as he slowly smirked then smiled and shake his head and began to laugh along with Reed.
REED (laughing): I couldn't help but ask man, how'd your'e Uncle pull it off...lemme guess, he a rich dude, probably loaded with cash!?
BEN: Nah..you kiddin!?...my Uncle's broke ha! ha!...we're jus barely gettin by, besides she's turnin out to be a real keeper ya know
REED: Seriosuly!? Wow good for him...so your'e Uncle being broke...is that what lead you to commit that crime!?
BEN (serious facial expression): Hey I didn't kill those students!
REED: And I believe you man! If anything the guy who killed the two students probably tried to frame you for the murder
BEN (in deep thought): Hmmm probably
REED: So then you know who it is, come clean Ben...you can turn that creep in, besides for all we know he's still out there
BEN: Nah Man...it's too dangerous trust me, sometimes doin the right thing ends up rewardin you with grave consequences...I know all too well
REED: Are you kiddin me!? Ben at least give the police somethin to work with, two people were killed
BEN (angrily looking at Reed): And you don't think I know that!? Of course...I keep seeing their faces, I wish I hadn't come here in the first place, thinkin things change for the betta
REED: It still can Ben, don't sweep this under the rug
BEN: I turn myself in and that's it, strike three an I'm out
REED: You can make a plea bargain, sure you broke in and helped them steal the stuff, but you didn't kill those students and you were framed
BEN: What are you my lawyer all of a sudden!?
REED: Jus tryin to help you out, besides my Moms know of a good lawyer back at Hell's Kitchen, he could help you out once you've stated your case
BEN (thinking): y'know what's funny, I could've joined em, back there in sewers rottin away...I'd be a corpse by now
REED: Ben...come on I can go with you, we can sort this out
Ben placed his hands on Reed's shoulder and pushed him aside, Reed already knew this wouldn't work out.
BEN: Listen Reed do yourself a favor an forget about it alright, let's keep this between you an me
REED: Ben you can't be serious!?
BEN (stern look on his face): I'm serious...the guy got away let it go man...I've got football tryouts later, I'm tryin to get my life straight
REED: I see...guess we'll keep in touch!?
BEN (smirking): Tch! yeah right...as if this makes us friends
REED (disappointed): guess not...
Ben on seeing Reed a bit dismayed decided to give a tidbit of information on the assailant who murdered the two students in the sewers which to his surprise he could've probably had serious questions about said assailant and the plans to commit the robbery.
BEN: Hey Reed! from what I know, the creep didn't really go to school that much
REED: Whaddaya mean!?
BEN: We hardly ever see him around, he jus shows up every now and again
REED: So your'e sayin he's not a student here!?
BEN: Probably...look I don't know alright, that's as much info as I could give ya
REED: Hmmm interesting...well guess you better head to class or not
BEN: Nah...I'm good I'm actually headin to class
REED (smiling): Good luck with tryouts today
BEN (chuckling): Yeah...an good luck with your Science crap or whateva it is you do
The two then headed off in separate directions and made their way to their respective classes, Reed feeling a mixture of hope and sadness of the fact that it seems he could've made a good friend in Ben but they were of two different backgrounds and lifestyles, unbeknownst to Reed, Ben felt and thought likewise as Reed was slowly ambling his way to his class room Ben turned to look at him and then a small smile crept up on his face and he immediately shook his head thinking being friends with Reed would be too complicated and would not work.
Scene then shifts to after school where Reed is in the computer lab working on HERBIE ver 2.0 upgrading HERBIE's A.I. when his rival Ren walked into the room with an air of confidence about her that suggest all must focus their attention on her and her alone. Unfortunately for her, Reed is solely focused on his current project to notice her presence. This made Ren somewhat upset and strangely enough she places more effort to get Reed's attention.
REN (coughing): Ahem! Ahem!
Reed at his computer coding his eyes completely glued to the Monitor as he hammered at the keyboard and then as if it's second nature immediately pulled out his floppy disc to save his work
REN (coughing loudly): Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!
Reed still typing and saving his work in progress. Then Ren being furious marched up to Reed and propped herself infront of the Computer which finally got Reed's attention.
REED: REN! WHAT THE HELL!?
REN: I've been trying to get your attention Richards!?
REED: I'm sorry didn't hear you come in
REN: Jesus Richards! I swear the Apocalypse can happen and you still wouldn't notice
REED: Well...what is it, sounds serious
REN: Well duh it is! You wouldn't believe what came in our club mail today
REED: What!?
REN: Our results from the Scholastic Achievers Examination
REED: Yeah isn't that the one we signed up for two months ago, I thought it was jus a series of practice tests to prep for SAT's
REN: Well apparently it's a cover to determine genius level intellects all across North America, who knew!?
REED (puzzled facial expression): Hmmmm yeah...guess they tryin to thin the herd huh!?
REN: Yeah and the other piece of news is a real kicker
REED: Go on
REN: You wouldn't believe who scored the highest out of the whole North American Region?
REED: Well...who!?
REN (Stares lovingly at Reed): I'm lookin at em
Reed then in a state of shock could not believe his ears at this recent news, Reed Richards is the top genius in the entire United States. Reed stood up for a moment in disbelief and wondered if this was true or all a hoax, afterall Ren wouldn't put it past her to get one up on Reed.
REED: Come on Ren...quit playin
REN (stern look): I'm serious Richards...look (holds up achievement list)
Reed grabbed the official document from the United States Board of Education and saw his name at the very top of the list beating out Bruce Banner who came in second
REN: This is gonna make you more famous especially after that disaster at the Science Fair
REED: Wait...who set this exam in the first place!?
REN: Who cares!? That means you get to go to college early
REED: Well I did get the opportunity to go to college before but my folks wanted me to have a normal, healthly childhood
Ren now shocked at this news that Reed could've started college at an even earlier age but his Parents denied him that opportunity to express his genius.
REN: Wait...what!? you could've gone to college before how long ago was that!?
REED: When I was in middle school actually
REN (dumbfounded facial expression): Son of a...
REED: Who's it this time...Yale, Howard cuz I've already gotten Harvard, Empire State and Brown long before
Ren was now brought back from her stuphor as Reed mentioned some of the prestigous colleges who sent out letters to Reed before. It was then that Ren really saw their genius levels being compared, it at that moment she realized Reed was on another plane of genius, a high she can't reach and somewhat this lead to her feeling jealous and at the same time show more admiration towards Reed. This lead her to question Reed more about his upbringing as a child prodigy.
REN: So wait...that means you should be in college right about now...why are you still here!?
REED: Well at the time both Mom and Dad decided that college and adult experience would be too much of an eye opener for my brillance, especially since I was still a kid, so the best thing would be for me to skip middle school and start off in junior high
REN: That's how you ended up in high school at an early age
REED: Yeah I started off when I was ten-eleven...then Dad died from the accident and things went downhill since, I regret not takin the opportunity earlier...could've been outta this dump a lot
sooner, guess it's for the best though
REN: Well opportunity struck again Reed and you better not pass this up!
REED: Yeah! Yeah! I know okay.. can't wait to tell Moms
REN: I'm sure you do, anyways I wanted to tell you first, the Principal actually sent me to get you to give you the good news at his office
REED: Oh...okay, well better head down there
REN: Reed wait!
REED: Huh!? What is it Ren?
Ren shyly crosses her legs and has her head down stared at the floor as if Reed was too bright to look at, this made Reed feel more perplexed at the sight of Ren's strange behaviour.
REN: Ummm...I was thinking...y'know homecoming is nearby and I was wondering...whether we can... ..go
Then Reed took the words out of mouth and asked to question instead.
REED: You wanna go the homecoming dance with me!?
REN (Shocked): YES! I mean as a group, as representatives of the Science Club heh! heh!
REED: Umm...well..okay I guess
Ren trying to contain her blush and joy as her face grew more red grabbed his hand and shook it
REN: Great! Deal then...I look forward to our daaatt..I mean meeting
REED: Likewise, anyways gotta go see ya later!
Reed dashed off to the Principal's Office leaving Ren to jump for joy at Reed's acceptance to go to the Homecoming dance with her.
REN (jumping & screaming): YEEAAAAAHHHHH!
At the Principal's Office Reed walked inside to meet the Principal, there he saw an Elderly lady who wore a pin marked School District Supervisor and a college representative from Empire State University who Reed recognized as the same guy who came to his house when his was a little boy trying to recruit him earlier to go to College.
PRINCIPAL: Ahh there he is..Midtown's finest
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: First of all we'd like to congratulate you on this remarkable achievement Mr. Richards
EMPIRE STATE REP: Likewise and let me also say on behalf of Empire State we wish to extend our warmest of welcomes
REED: Whoa! I haven't even decided on goin to college yet, what gives!?
PRINCIPAL: Mr. Richards I gotta admit, despite the recent incident at the Science Fair, the most esteemed colleges and universities have already acknowledge your brilliance
EMPIRE STATE REP: Exactly not only in the field of Science but Math as well, Mr. Richards as I've stated before your'e a valuable asset not only to the country but quite possibly the entire world
REED (now recalling the college representative face): Yeah I get the picture..Mr. Goodridge
EMPIRE STATE REP: I see you've remembered me well Reed, you don't need to be so formal call me Sam heh! heh!
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: Sir...you sound like you've met Mr. Richards earlier
MR. GOODRIDGE: Oh yes! we picked up on this boy genius in his early years at middle-school tried to make him an offer to start at college but his parents declined
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: I see, they probably did so with good reason
PRINCIPAL: Well that was back then and this is now, Reed is almost a pre-adolescent young man, I'm sure he's capable of making his own decisions.
REED: What about my science project!? It was deemed to be too hazardous
MR. GOODRIDGE: Are you kiddin me!? Kid that project of yours is one of N.A.S.A top 10 future space programs
Reed was taken aback by this piece of news, he managed to single handedly complete a space project on his own without even realizing it.
REED: Really!? I guess it wasn't so bad was it
MR. GOODRIDGE: Trust me Reed, alot of prestigous colleges and technical institutes will be lining up just to get a minute with you to convince you to bring your genius to their doors.
PRINCIPAL: See Reed there's always a sliver lining, now you have the pick of the litter
REED: Does this mean I can immediately skip both Pre-SAT and SAT and start college!?
MR. GOODRIDGE: Absolutely! I mean come on your'e already wastin your valuable time and talent here, all this high school stuff is child's play to your intellect
PRINCIPAL: We can attest to that, Mr. Richards sometimes subs for the Teaching Staff in case one of the Teachers fall ill, it's a shame most students don't respect and acknowledge that
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: Gentlemen the school term is still in session, homecoming dance is just a couple of weeks away...I say let Mr. Richards finish high school
MR. GOODRIGDE: Ma'am with all due respect he's wasting his potential just being here, he'll be of good use when he's at Empire State
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: Mr. Richards is a person not some machine you can use to squeeze out his genius, I'm sure he has friends probably even a girlfriend
Reed stiffened at the mention of girlfriend but he detected what the District Supervisor's main intention was, it was to keep him grounded, to live a normal teenage life and not rush it. It's the same with his Parents, they wanted to maintain his childhood innocence just as how the Supervisor wanted to maintain his teenage years.
MR. GOODRIDGE: He can make new ones in college, besides it doesn't look like he's have much friends here
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: How do you know this!? Besides his Parents also has to be a part of his decision
MR. GOODRIDGE: We were going to call them later today to 'give em the good news', but the college board decided to be patient and let Mr. Richards and his family enjoy this moment of success
PRINCIPAL: Hmph yeah and then move in for the swoop before all the other colleges approach him
The Principal then turned to Reed and looked at him in a fatherly way that it somewhat reminded Reed of his father when he was still alive.
PRINCIPAL: Listen Reed, you should go home, talk to your folks about this and then you can decide what to do from there
Mr. Goodridge looked disappointed and the District Supervisor was pleased of how it ended, then Reed cleared his throat and decided to take matters into his own.
REED: I'll go talk to Moms about it, but I'd rather stick it out for the remainder of the School term and then I'll pick a college an go
MR. GOODRIDGE: Whoa..um okay then...nicely put Reed heh! heh! heh!
The District Supervisor began to look concerned as she came up to Reed and looked straight at him
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: Reed are you sure this is what you want!? You still have alot of time here, college isn't going anywhere
REED: I know what you're tryin to do but, things are rough back home, ever since Pops died it's always been rough...so I'll be going, maybe this might be my opportunity knockin
DISTRICT SUPERVISOR: Oh...I see then...well whatever you decide Mr. Richards I wish you tons of success
MR. GOODRIDGE: And I do hope that the college you pick is the right one (extending his hand with an Empire State University Pamphlet)
REED: Heh! yeah...hope so too Mr. Goodridge, wuz nice seein ya
MR. GOODRIDGE: Good to be seen Mr. Richards, Take care!
Reed then exited the Principals Office and went back to the lab to finsh his project
Scene shifts to Reed making his way home, on passing through the School football field he could spot Ben playing football and rough-housing with the Team in a scrimmage. Ben seemed to adjust fine after the robbery incident. Reed figured he would look into the robbery and solve the case without implicating Ben. When he arrived home he noticed a sleek black Mercedes Benz parked outside, Reed thought of two things either The IRS or another college scout.
MOM (Joyful expression): Hey Baby!
REED: Mom!?
Reed's Mother greeted him with a warm embrace with the tightest of bearhugs and kiss on the cheek, Reed almost felt his life squeezed out of him. Then an elderly gentleman in a full three piece suit and a bright red tie stepped up to greet him with a firm handshake. Morgan was standing behind looking confused and wondering what is going on with his older brother.
ELDERLY MAN: Ah finally, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Richards, I am Ronald Epcar, lead scientist and engineer for the Roxxon Corporation
REED: Roxxon Corporation!?
MOM: Yes honey, this man came to give you an internship at Roxxon isn't that great!?
REED: Ummm yeah...I guess
R. EPCAR: Mr. Richards we've been watching you for awhile, even before the fiasco at the last Science Fair, we knew you were something to behold
REED: Watchin me!? what you mean by that!?
R. EPCAR: Heh! Heh! Allow me to further elaborate, you see Reed..can I call you Reed?
Reed shook his head giving his guest the approval for first name basis
R. EPCAR: Lovely! you see Reed, Roxxon keeps it's eyes and ears peeled throughout the globe for people such as yourself who have to the potential to make great strides and contributions in the field of Science and Engineering. We usually chair I.Q. Exams, host Knowledge Bowls for High School competition, Debates and even Science Fairs such as the one held recently in your school to identify high level intellects.
Reed then surmized that the last Science Fair and the Scholastic Achievers Exams were probably of part of Roxxon's making.
REED: Lemme guess the Scholastic Achievers exam I took two months ago
R. EPCAR: Yup! That's one of our fishing schemes and you caught the bait, well actually your scores surprised us greatly...which is why I'm here now to meet the genius in person
REED (in thought): I see...
MOM: Baby they're willin to give you a full time job after the internship
REED: Wow...that's...jus wow
MOM: Look I know before...your Father and I thought you were too young at the time to take this...
REED: I know Mom I know, I jus need some time to think, to breathe...all this is too much right now
MOM: I see...Well Reed you know things have been hard on us ever since...
REED (annoyed): I know! I get it okay!
Reed did not want to be reminded of his Father's death.
R. EPCAR: Listen if you need some time for yourself, you can take all the time you need...we're just putting the offer earlier, you can come on board when your'e ready, but don't take too long
REED: Uh...thanks man
MOM: Oh good, you can finish up high school, go to college and work for them.
REED: Guess you got it all figured out huh Mom
MORGAN (smiling): I'm glad for you bro, told ya you'll bounce back
Reed smiled at both his Mom and his little brother, they were right, he can bounce back.
R. EPCAR: The Roxxon Corporation is looking to put together an elite team of renowed Scientists, Pyshists and Engineers who can create innovative ideas to benefit mankind
REED: You make it sound like it's an elite team of superheroes
R. EPCAR: Ha! Well if you put like that...you see we wanna be the lead on all this advance both in Science and Technology, in all honesty...I'd rather you start working with us, the sooner the better it'll be for you and your family
REED: Riiiiggghhhttttt...I see
R. EPCAR: We're hoping that you'll accept our offer..will you!?
REED: Will I get full funding for my projects!?
R. EPCAR: You get your own personalized state of the art lab to conduct your own experiments, under our jurisdiction of course
REED: Hmph sounds pretty awesome, thanks
R. EPCAR: Anyway, here's my contact card, feel free call me anytime if you have any pressing questions or concerns, Mrs. Richards it was nice meeting you and you two kid (waves at Morgan)
MOM: Take care Mr. Epcar, it's kinda dangerous round the bend
R. EPCAR: Don't worry about me I'll be alright, take care and thanks for hearing us out Mr. Richards
REED: No, thank you sir
Mr. Epcar made his way out and back into the sleek car which immediately drove off back to Roxxon Corporation. Morgan and Reed were both at the window watching the car drove off when their Mother called them back
MOM: Boys! Come on! time to eat dinner
MORGAN (Happily sprints off to the dinner table): Bout time!
MOM: Reed, baby..I'm very proud of you...I know your Father will be too.
REED (smiling): I know Mom..I know Mom
Reed's Mother hugged and kissed him again as they made their way to the dinner table to eat. That night, Reed was still up trying to take in all that happened to him today, coming first in the Scholastic Achievement exam, already getting acceptance from Empire State University and even getting an intership with the Roxxon Corporation, things could only get better from here on out.
Reed thought to himself that things were finally going his way for once in his life, with these great opportunities they can finally escape this dreadful and crime ridden area.
