[ Author's Note: Oh my God! I haven't updated this fic since May! O.o; Sorry everyone! I know a lot of people read this story and such. I'm back! No worries! I'll be updating more. ]


CHAPTER 4
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JOB HUNTING



Alice was happier than the day she'd beaten up her first bunch of cronies. The last few days had been Hell, with her acting like a total moron in front of Spider-Man. As she swung clumsidly through the sleepless city of New York; she came to a stop on the rooftop of a nicely built structure. Her french window that led into her bedroom was below. With fixed movement and great agility, Alice climbed down and gently pushed her window open. The night had been perfect until the second she opened the window, "Who the hell are you?! Where's Alice?!" came the dreadful voice of her older sister, Sandra. Her heart shrank as Alice watched her older sister approch her with a huge metal bat, "I know you took her you bastard! Bring her back!" The buzzing in her head exploded. She winced, still not used to its untimely outburtst. Damn stupid thing... Alice ducked from a hard swing that Sandra had done. "Sandra!" Alice said, trying her best to hide her voice. Should she tell her? Could she tell her? How would she react? "How do you know my name?!" howled Sandra as she swung the bat over Alice's head again, "Please! Sandra! Calm down!" Alice's arms shot up like the people you usually see on Cops. Sandra was hysterical at the intruder and dissaperance of her younger and only sister. Just like Sandie to go nuts when something went wrong. Alice didn't really have another choice, but to reveal herself to her sister. This would be the most important decision she'd have to make in less than two seconds. Another swing and Alice would to bust a Kung-Fu on her ... not like she wanted to. Taking a deep breath, Alice braced herself, "Sandra! It's me! Alice!" in a flash Alice removed her mask and revealed her sweaty and red face. Sandra dropped her bat and stared at her little sister with pure disbelief. This won't be good ... Just as Alice finished her thought, Sandra's eyes rolled to the back of her head as she passed out -- Alice catching her just in time.

Her decision was a good one. In fact, she didn't expect her sister to accept the fact that she wasn't entirely human. The fact that Alice was now known as the mysterious spider to some and a loony copycat to others, she made sure she didn't leave out any details whatsoever about the ordeals of the past few years and how she ended up with the powers in the first place. That pain in her heart for her mother's deatrh still lingered, but it was being turned into her energy and fuel to go out every night and serve justice to the people she hated, but loved. Just like the society to react to her as they did. A mystery. Wasn't she always a mystery in the first place?

Another morning made it's way into the towering building of New York. Those aquamarine eyes were glaring into textbooks before the sun broke through her french window. After Sandra had swallowed all the news about her little sister being Spider-Woman it had wiped her out and she'd fallen asleep not long after that. On the other hand Alice went directly to study. Her college classes would start soon and the lack of sleep would wear her out, "When will the tortue stop?" she grumbled under her breath as she finished the twenty something chapter of her Advanced Economics book. "The bible is less thick than this piece of crap." she grumbled under her breath.

Today would be another fun-filled day of job searching. It was strange enough that she didn't find a single job in this huge city. After quickly fixing up her not-so-fixable room she made herself a pityful breakfast and headed out into the busy streets of New York.

Attired in her best looking suit, Alice found herself standing in front of a small cafe with a "Help Wanted" sign handing at the side window. She looked up at the store banner and frowned, "Tropical Berry Café ...?" With a simple shrug, "Why not? Probably won't get it anyway. Since Lady Luck gave me the finger ..." Alice chuckled at her own idiodic comment and walked into the slightly unoccupied cafe. It had it a very sweet aroma linger throughout it. Like coffee beans and berries. Her heels tampered wooden flooring as she made her way to the counter. It was all well built. It looked more like a donut shop than anything, but the Cappucino machines and coffee brewers were a dead give away. "Um -- excuse me?" she said as an old Japanese woman rose from a crouched position under the counter, "Hello dearie. Can I help you?" she said with a slight hint of an accent. "Yeah ... I read your Help Wanted sign outside and I'd like an application ..." Alice said.

Oh man! I sound so unproffecialonal! It's no wonder I haven't found a frikkin job ... I sound like a total moron. I'm such an idiot. I really need to work on my social skills. Maybe I can practice with Sandra. No wonder I sounded like a — Her endless line of stupid thoughts were interruped by the old Japanese lady tapping her hand, "Dearie? Are you alright?"

Alice snapped and looked down at the humble old lady. Alice smiled, "Sorry. What did you say?" the old woman nodded towards an old Japanese man near the counter entrace, "He'll interview you. Go with him and he will tell you if you have the job or not." Alice nodded slightly and smiled one last time at the old woman before she headed to the back office with the man.


"How're you, Miss?" asked the man. Alice nodded, "I've been better. Um, may I ask what your name is?" she placed her hands on her lap as she sat on the chair across from the man, "Jinsei Takagawa. You may call me Sei." Sei was better at english than his wife, "May I ask for yours?" He smiled and she returned it, "Sure. The names Alice Porter." You sound like a moron! Work on your tongue, Alice! Geez! Alice grinned nervously, "So ... why are you looking for a job and why did you come?"

Should I tell him that I've been looking for a job the last three days and that this is my last chance to get a job and if I don't get a job here I'm willing to pull all my hair out and jump off the Statue of Liberty? Alice cleared her throat and grinned nervously, "Well, Sir ... I've been looking for a job recently and I haven't had any luck whatsoever. It's my first job, and that is what seems to make people reject my submissions. I am a hard worker and I'll work hard for what I want..." Alice said, her chin up. "Hmm ..." there was a long and eerie silence. This had happened at every single interview she'd gone to and they'd end up saying 'Thank you for your time Ms. Porter' or 'We'll call you.' and she remembered hearing once, 'We aren't interested in your services.' She waited for something in that area, but was stunned to hear, "Welcome to the Tropical Berry Cafe Ms. Porter. When can you begin working?"

Alice would've jumped up and kiss the old man. This was great news! "Oh, Mr.Takagawa! I can start working right now!" this made the old man chuckle. "Nonsense, Ms. Porter. My wife will give you your uniform and you can come in tommorrow morning at five am for small traning." The two got up and shook one anothers hand before Alice headed to the front with a grin. In just a few minutes she was holding her Tropical Berry Cafe apron and heading out the door.

Her spidersence was nice enough to slam itself into her head like a car being hurtled at her. She twitched as some people around her eyed her as if she were crazy. "Damn thing," she rubbed the side of her head when it began to buzz louder and louder and ... it happened. A Old Volkswagen Beetle was zooming down the street to her right with a figure cladded in red and blue. Her eyes widened ... it was time for some action. Alice turned and dissapered into a dark alleyway to her left and reappeared as SpiderWoman. "Let's go!" She extended her hand, brought in her middle and ring finger and her white webbing shot out; clinging to the bumper of the speeding Beetle.