HOAX UNCOVERED!

A pair of gloved hands reached out to pick up that day's Daily Bugle as the headlines sat over another picture of Spiderman. The story read:

Editor-in-Chief J. Jonah Jamison, using uncanny journalistic detective work, uncovered a hoax today. A homeless man only known as Joe was trying to convince reporters that he saw the face of Spiderman. According to the bum, during that infamous train incident where Spiderman stopped the train from going off the end of the track plummeting to the train yard below, a problem which he originally caused, he had lost his mask and was seen by all.

As the man was sitting in the office, next to one of our staff, Peter Parker, he was giving the Spiderman description to the artist. Apparently he was staring at Parker giving the artist a detailed description of the photographer he was looking at.

Claiming that it was indeed Parker who was Spiderman, the truth unfolded that the man was drunk while on the train and remembered seeing our photographer, who was also on the train at that time. At this point in time, there is no proof that Spiderman's identity was ever revealed.

The paper was crumpled and was about to be slammed into the trash when there were second thoughts. Although there were no pictures of this Joe fellow, the figure decided to save it. It might useful in finding out who he was. Maybe Spiderman could be repaid for saving all those lives after all.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Peter was heading back to the Bugle with a new batch of photos. At least Jamison has shown some willingness to accept a few more photos from Pete that were not of Spiderman. The shots still contained sensationalism, like the one that was of a mounted policeman getting dragged off his horse by an overly enthusiastic crowd of Rangers fan after they won the Stanley cup. But at least it wasn't of Spiderman.

He was looking down fumbling with his photos, making sure they were ready to give to the Editor, when he was yanked off balance and into the alleyway. He was about to use his superpowers to defend himself when he realized it was just a drunk and angry bum. He toned down his power to normal human strength and just broke free of the hold. Before Peter could ask him what he wanted, the man screamed, "I know you're Spiderman. I saw your face. Oh you were on that train alright, but not as a photographer."

Peter didn't know what to do. He wanted the drunk to quiet down, but he didn't want to hit him or be aggressive towards him in any way. Holding up his hands, he spoke quietly, "Hey, calm down buddy. I'm not Spiderman, really. I wish I were, he's one cool dude, gets all the girls ga-ga over him. But I'm just a college geek."

"Liar!" he yelled back. "I just lost my home because of you." The drunkard took a swing at Peter who needed no super Spider powers to duck. The punch's momentum took Joe in a complete circle, entwining his legs. He collapsed in a heap. He stayed in a pile on the filthy ground, weeping softly.

"Here, let me help you," Peter offered as he held out his hand. Joe pulled back defiantly at first, then relented and allowed Pete to help him stand up.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked the now homeless man. "I thought Spiderman saved your life on that train. Why are you trying to destroy him?"

"I need the money. I got fired because of that damned train accident. If Spiderman wasn't fighting with that Ock fella, the train never would have been in the condition to need help from Spiderman. The train woulda stopped at the station. I woulda gotten off and walked to work. I woulda been on time. So the least I can do is get some money for my troubles"

"You got fired for that?" Peter asked incredulously.

"Yeah, well, I've had trouble being late before." Joe said solemnly. "I was on probation, but I was doing real good. I hadn't been late in weeks," he yelled.

Peter, now feeling guilty, because it was his fight with Doc Ock that caused the train incident, wanted to help Joe. He thought for a moment. He wasn't about to agree that he was indeed the Webslinger, but he had to do something. "Uh, Joe, can you deliver pizza?"

The slightly older man nodded .

"Well, I just happen to know of a job opening a couple blocks away."

"Ya do? How?"

"I just got fired from there for lateness," Peter said, blushing and grinning at the same time.

After he got the specifics of the job, Joe just stared at Peter. He wanted to still yell at him that he does know that he's Spiderman, but then at the same time, this kid just pointed him to the solution to his problem, which was lack of money. He just hung his head and shuffled out of the alley.

Peter looked at the time, "Gosh, I'm late. AGAIN"

He ran into JJ's office and was hit with, "You're late. Where were you?"

"Joe stopped me..."

"Joe who?" bellowed Jamison.

Dropping down to Jonah's level of discussion he said, "The bum who said he saw Spiderman's face grabbed me outside in the alleyway. He was drunk. I just talked him down a bit and offered a place where he could find employment."

"Well one of his buddies was up here looking for him. Asked where he could find him."

Peter looked surprise, "Really, who was it? What did you do?"

"Don't know, so I told him to beat it. But you're still late. You're fired!"

Peter, used to being fired everyday now, just sat down, "So I guess you don't want to see pictures of a post gang war bloodbath?" He just about spat that out. He absolutely hated this part of the job. But, this was how he paid the rent. Spiderman didn't make it there in time to stop the fight and all the mobile gangmembers had split. Paramedics were already arriving to care for the injured so Spidey's help was no longer needed. Pete decided that he could play photographer this time. How he wished Jamison would run some nicer articles with pictures of old ladies feeding the birds or little kids playing with puppies.

"You're unfired, whatcha got?" Jamison yelled.

Pete handed him the folder.

Jonah shuffled through the photographs, "Crap. Crap. Crap. I'll give you $200."

"Mr. Jamison, you know the going rate is $350." Peter said sternly, having gotten used to playing the game now.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As Peter was heading for class, the headlines of the Bugle at a nearby newsstand caught his eye.

HOAX INSTIGATOR MURDERED

WEBBED MENACE IMPLICATED

Pete was stunned. He was just talking to the guy the other day. He grabbed the paper and read the story. Apparently the man was found dead wearing a pizza delivery jacket and hat. He had been stabbed in the back. The police said there were no eye witnesses and no motive but they weren't ruling out robbery. Even though he still had his pizza money, the police think the perpetrator was scared off before he could grab the money and run. Peter saw that it was JJ that had put the Spiderman spin on it. No wonder so many people hated him.

"You gonna pay for that?"

Startled back to reality, Peter looked at the newsman, "Uh, sorry." And he put the paper back being cash strapped. He sulked as he continued to class. A storm cloud following him. He had no doubt that Joe was one of the passengers who saw his face. And he was feeling pretty good that he was able to help him out. But now to find out he was killed...he was sure he could have helped him again if only he was in the neighborhood. He felt a twang of guilt. He always did when there was someone he didn't save for one reason or another.