SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 6)
CONNORS LABORATORY…
Peter checked into the lab to see if Curt was there but did not see or hear any visible presence. Except for the lizards sunbathing in the tank.
"Doctor Connors isn't here yet." Peter noted as he made his way inside, "Hopefully I can start looking busy soon."
As Peter walked in, he attended to the computer station as normal to start the work with the prosthetic arm. He soon noticed there were different sets of Lego pieces piled next to him in separate tubs; each labelled 'house'; 'castle' and 'city'.
"What's all this?" Peter said looking at the tubs.
Near the tubs, Peter also found a note next to the tubs with Curt's handwritings.
'Hey Peter,
I wanted to use these Lego pieces to test the longevity of the arm when it comes to completing tasks. Practice the assembly for each set and record the different factors including time and response. Use the Lego instruction booklets to help if you want.
Dr. Connors.'
"Uh huh…Is this seriously going to be part of the intern?" Peter asked thinking that the Legos were childish.
As Peter was about to start, he heard the door open again with Curt making his presence known.
"Well, well. Parker, you're finally here." Connors said wearing a coat while carrying a box of freshly baked different flavoured donuts.
"Dr. Connors! I was just about to start the experiment you laid out here." Peter responded.
"Yeah, and I was just bringing a nice snack if you want." Curt said as he laid the donuts to where the tea table was situated.
"You know I could…" Peter said getting up for the donuts before Curt set him back down.
"Settle down, focus on the thing you were about to start…" Curt ordered.
"Sorry, it's just…I didn't have much to eat for breakfast this morning." Peter said listening to the sound of his stomach growl.
"Well, young man. I could help you with a recommended breakfast list if you want." Curt said as he helped himself to his own seat.
"Anytime. So um…The Legos." Peter said looking at each tub.
"Oh yes…We've been so focused on response times and so far, I think the experiments were acceptable that we take a look at manual tasking." Curt said, "Plus, I'm sure you read my note."
"Yeah, I'm going to boot up the computer program now." Peter said as he turned around to the screen.
As Peter started up the computer, he set the table ready for the experiment starting with the Lego house. Curt waited patiently as he watched his student do the work by himself.
"Don't mind me. Just say the word if you want advice but remember… This work is your own." Curt reminded.
After opening up the computer and booting the program for the prosthetic arm, he went ahead with the work and watched the arm start to work its miracles. As soon as the arm picked up one Lego block, the screen showcased statistics regarding tension and the electrical impulse waves itself.
"Would you look at that? Every block is key information." Curt commented.
As the activity commenced, Peter and Curt watched as the arm performed the job until halfway when Peter talked about something else.
"Doctor, I have this thing I should mention." Peter stated in concern.
"Yes, Peter?" Curt wondered.
"It's-It's my aunt. She said she had an accident this morning and I'm…A little worried for her." Peter explained referring to a phone call he had with May early on, "She had a fall to be more specific."
"Oh no, if that is the case then by all means." Curt replied, "Sorry to hear that. How bad?"
"Don't know. She didn't sound too distressed but… You never know." Peter replied.
"Peter, as a dedicated family man… Listen to me, a great demonstration to nurture those close to you is a demonstration to ensure the success of providing care for others." Curt said, "Your aunt probably needs you and if all is well then tomorrow only expands our pathway to greatness."
"Thanks, doc." Peter said in response to Curt's kind words.
"There is a downside for sure. One, it's wasting time for the experiment. And two, you may have to miss the Oscorp Expo I was considering tickets for. After all, it will be great for our minds to build the inspiration rather than us chasing it." Curt said.
"Oscorp Expo?" Peter questioned, "You mean…"
"Have you just heard or are you surprised that I'm considering about going there?" Curt asked, "You heard me right. Oscorp Expo… A place run by what is supposed to be the latest scientific innovations. Thanks to a wealthy cooperate man with family fortune."
"Whoa, so you bring donuts and let me play with Legos and then… You say you have reservations for an extraordinary one-time event?" Peter asked back, "Doctor Connors…"
Curt smiled before laughed with both his normal arm and prosthetic arm crossed.
"I don't want you to be the only one in the room trying something new. That's for sure." Curt said before saying his next words, "Well, Peter. Let this be an actual excuse. If you're going to help one person then it better be more than one when you come back here. Get to your aunt first."
"Thank you, Doctor Connors. You are the best." Peter said excitedly before his next thoughts for May kicked in.
Peter then nodded before leaving the place as Curt watched on.
RESTWELL NURSING HOME, BROOKLYN…
For Peter, this was one of the few times he would come to the place where May worked. Restwell may be a small aged care in Brooklyn but a significant ageing population was housed there. He hurried to the door before being checked on by two security guards and then faced reception to state his business.
"Peter Parker, miss. I'm here for a Maybelle Parker. May for short. She works here…" Peter said.
"Yeah, gotcha. She's at room 97 which currently unoccupied by any resident there. I'll make note that you came here 10:45." The reception lady said before motioning Peter to the destination.
Peter moved fast down hallways and avoiding contact with the elderly who at times glanced at him while the caretakers kept them moving. As Peter found the room door, he opened the door to see May on the bed looking perfectly sound.
May waved at her nephew before he came over to give her a hug.
"Oh, Peter. Thank goodness, I have you to come by." May said happily.
"Hey May, you're okay, are you?" Peter asked.
"I guess so. From the looks of it, everyone else here says I look fine and after that fall, I don't think I had too much serious harm. I'll recover." May answered.
"But… Are you okay going home by yourself and to the door?" Peter asked.
"Peter, I've got all the people here including you." May said, "I look after the people here and in turn, I can always count on their support. Don't worry about this being a small world."
Peter feeling silly for asking that question still remained unsure on why he made the effort to see May and wondered if there was anything more beyond just a visit to check on her.
"May…I had to sacrifice time on my intern to come here. Please, if there is anything wrong that's serious… I will be here." Peter said.
"Oh Peter, I'm sorry. This has got to be karma." May said, "It doesn't make it easier when you're the only one left in the Parker family."
"Come on, May… You gotta stay strong." Peter said grasping her hand.
"That means you need to settle down fast." May warned, "Every day, I keep thinking when are Peter and Gwen going to tie the knot and spend the rest of their lives happily. The Stacy's are also hoping for the same, mind you."
"Uh, okay… Um." Peter said flustered, "Anything else?"
"Peter, I know you care about me but I want you to be ready when time sees fit. You know how life works so I expect that you are prepared." May said, "Please make the most of your life."
"I promise you…" Peter replied showing his unconditional familial love for his only known living family member.
CENTRAL PARK, MANHATTAN…
After spending the time with May, Peter walked through Central Park whilst talking to Curt on the phone regarding Oscorp Expo.
"Doctor Connors, I've made up my mind. I want to come to Oscorp Expo." Peter said, "That's my final decision, I promise."
"Alright, it's final. Do NOT be late or absent for this." Curt insisted, "Take care, Mr. Parker."
As the phone clicked off, Peter breathed a sigh of relief before looking around and checking the time on his phone.
"Where are you now?" Peter wondered.
"Hey, man of tomorrow." Gwen's voice chimed in wearing her winter uniform.
"Don't you have people to save?" Peter joked turning around to face her.
"Yeah, save you from this freezing temperature. Come on, let's mosey." Gwen said grabbing Peter by the arm.
"I played that game and I got that reference." Peter replied as they walked together like a normal couple.
"Oh, so apart from study. You're in the house button mashing and who knows… What about the gym? Fitness?" Gwen asked.
"Come on, it will totally be weird when people see a skinny guy like me pick up 100 kilos." Peter answered, "I spend a lot of time trying to read also…"
"Ugh, nerd." Gwen teased, "But it's okay… I like that about you."
As the two walked together, Peter let the moment of normality pass again as he walked side by side with Gwen.
"Heard you met with your aunt today. Is she alright?" Gwen asked, "What did she say today."
"She's alright. I'm happy that she's still in great spirits." Peter replied, "She uh said, "Oh, Peter. I'm so glad to see you etc etc." And asked about the status of our strong relationship and uh… Yeah. I hope you on the other hand are okay as well."
Peter clearly did not want to bring the topic of marriage to Gwen just yet.
"It's been… A little too quiet for me. There's no sign of bird man again so I guess it's a plus for now and a problem later." Gwen replied reporting her latest life endeavours.
"A New York that isn't run by power-hungry mobsters or insane superpowered bad guys is a win for us both. I'll take it." Peter said in return.
"I'm still so cold." Gwen said pushing herself closer to Peter.
As they walked towards the entrance of Central Park, Peter brought up the question of Oscorp Expo.
"Hey, um… I want to ask. Do you have time to come to Oscorp Expo this week?" Peter asked, "I'm going with Doctor Connors but I also want to know if you'd be interested."
"Oscorp Expo? Um… Let me think." Gwen said, "Probably… It fills in the gap for boring lives but I'm not in science so…"
"Then just come along. You know there are other ways to enjoy life. Don't be burdened by the swinging and need to save others through powers." Peter insisted.
"In this instance, yes. Because I have a gut feeling that this event will be of interest to our bird friend." Gwen replied after consideration, "I think this might be something to look forward to, so yeah… I'll come."
"Yeah, I don't think I know who this guy is yet but uh… Let's just hope everything is normal there." Peter agreed.
OSBORN LOFT…
Norman came back after having to deal with another excruciating executive meeting. Opening the doors to his private loft located in the company where everything is luxuriously designed as expected.
"Welcome back." A female voice said followed by a woman with green eyes and chestnut coloured hair.
The woman wore a white medium-sized shirt with blue jeans. It was the image of Norman's wife, Emily.
"Emily…" Norman said with a smile, "It's been such an exhausting day. Would you… Help get the bath ready when I'm ready? And…What's for dinner?"
"Your favourite, medium rare marinated with black pepper and thyme with a side of roasted vegetables." Emily replied.
Keeping distance from her, Norman gave his reply as he headed to a corner of his loft."
"Delicious. Let the chef know." Norman said.
Emily nodded before walking out of sight from Norman to other side of the loft.
In front of Norman, there was a wall arranged with a variety of different masks from different cultural and historical backgrounds. It was something to marvel for Norman everything he is home and it is own art collection. There masks that include the likes of a Roman soldier mask; a Chokwe tribal mask; a Woyo mask; a Japanese oni and even the beaked mask from the Black Plague era.
"I love these masks." Norman said touching the Japanese oni one and twisting it off the wall.
Behind the mask was remote security lock with an eye scan and numbered pad. Norman followed the security lock's suite as he inputted his access details to bypass the secret room hidden behind the wall.
The rest of the wall with the masks moved aside to reveal the hidden place. Norman walked through to see his hidden laboratory of secrets. There were things no one else in Oscorp should know and he intended to keep this out of public eye unless otherwise.
Blueprints for yet to be made inventions hanged on the wall whilst chemicals were stored in their respective area. Two dead mice in a cage ruined the look of the lab however with hints of interjection from an unknown dosage. A bottle of unknown formula stood upright in a rack near the cage stable in room temperature.
It glowed orange but with a slight hint of green. Perhaps it was green fluorescent protein in there but only Norman would say.
"I'll get it done properly this time." Norman proclaimed looking at the bottle as he put on some latex gloves.
TO BE CONTINUED…
