SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 8)
Note: Since the last chapter, the story has reached 1000+ views. Thank you all. Also I apologize if there are big gaps between chapters from now on since my life is busy.
5:29 pm J. Jonah Jameson's office, Daily Bugle Building…
"Parker, I gotta say I'm proud of you." John said looking at the email he received from Betty.
"Really?" Peter asked with slight optimism.
"You figured out the numbers exactly like I hoped you would." John replied before chuckling.
"Well, I had help from Betty as well to be fair…" Peter replied.
"Then she did a good job supervising you, Parker." John said, "Today's amount of pay will be double the amount."
"Oh…" Peter said surprised yet happy.
"You got a significant other, Parker? If so…That's the amount of money you'd spend for a fancy evening at a nice Italian restaurant to take them out. Now go downstairs and let Miss Brant handle things. I gotta chase up on Foswell and Leeds next." John said.
Peter nodded before leaving John's office.
Daily Bugle Building, 1st floor…
As Peter exited the elevator, he approached the reception desk where Betty was situated and prepared and walked up to process the payment into his bank account. Betty grabbed the cheque paper out of Peter's hand and started processing it.
"$325? You must have impressed Jameson a lot today." Betty said.
"Yeah, well… I had help from you." Peter said.
"Are you exhausted now?" Betty asked.
"Ah, yeah… Thanks for asking. It is a big day for me to be looking through numbers and stuff." Peter acknowledged.
"Well, you can always rest easy when you figured out Jameson's tax bills." Betty said, "So what are your plans after this?"
"I guess I'm gonna head home. See my aunt. And…uh… Maybe check on my friends and my girlfriend." Peter stated, "Oh tell Ned I said 'hi'."
"Okay then…" Betty said, "Well it looks like the money is in your account now."
"Oh thanks, Betty. I'll see you tomorrow." Peter said walking away before waving at Betty which was reciprocated.
6:55 pm Stacy residence…
Peter's time as Spider-Man was cut short the day he starting working with John. At the time of Spider-Man's absence, he worried that the amount of crime in New York City had risen. His big concern right now was that Electro is still wondering around and people would be in easy trouble.
Furthermore, he had to catch up with George on updates which he could not share due to keeping his identity private from him as much as possible. Despite the trust they built as a crime fighting unit, Peter's reasoning had to do with needing George to maintain his job while also protecting Gwen from any involvement regarding his vigilante activities.
Peter made his way to Gwen's house dressed as Spider-Man to meet George since his private investigator business is now closed at the time. Climbing around the house, Peter checked the windows to see if anyone's in the house. Peeping into one window, he spotted Gwen's little brother, Simon playing a game on a tablet while sitting on his bed.
"Just the little brother?" Spider-Man thought as he wondered if there was an adult in the house.
Spider-Man pulled himself away to avoid Simon's attention before deciding if he wants to let him know that he is there.
"He might freak out…But I have to know if George is home." Spider-Man said as he then tapped on the glass window.
Poking his head up, Simon's eyes lit up when he saw Spider-Man in his view. Dropping his tablet, he walked up to the window.
"Spider-Man?" Simon asked.
"It's me alright. Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man." Spider-Man said, "Hey kid, is your name Simon Stacy?"
"Yeah…" Simon said with enthusiasm, "You know my dad, right?"
"I sure do… Is there a chance he's in the house?" Spider-Man asked.
"Uh, sure… He was just downstairs making dinner." Simon said, "I'll go get him."
As Simon rushed off in excitement, George came into the room moments later to greet Spider-Man with his sleeves rolled up. His expression came
"Move over, I'm opening the window." George stated as he reached for the window handles.
Spider-Man moved away a small step as George opened the windows so that he could talk to him clearly.
"Hey George, I need to update you on some stuff." Spider-Man said.
"Couldn't have done it earlier? What happened to morning routines?" George asked raising an eyebrow.
"Well, you see… I have an actual job now outside of Spider-Man." Spider-Man said.
"Ah, so you're not just someone dressed in a costume all day long…" George said, "Nice to know."
"Listen, about the last incident with Max…" Spider-Man said referring to the subway fight with Electro.
"Yeah, you delayed the subway. My wife who's still at work complained to me about that." George stated.
"Well you see…Max isn't a reasonable guy." Spider-Man said, "Any time he sees me, his killer instincts spark up."
"You sure you tried reasoning with him?" George asked.
"I mean…" Spider-Man started before George cut him off.
"Just so you know…Sadly, not everyone is appreciative of your work lately." George said.
"Oh, I know. Can't please everyone. The Daily Bugle of course… Trashes me numerously." Spider-Man stated.
"It's more than a J. Jonah Jameson shit talk." George said, "Things are going to change around here."
"What things?" Spider-Man asked.
"Heard the latest news lately?" George asked before taking out his phone to show a text message.
"Wilson Fisk, huh?" Spider-Man said peering down on the words on George's phone.
"Not just news reports… But anyone who's working or worked for the NYPD or at least around Queens have gotten an anonymous text that has been indicating a change in legal enforcement by him." George said, "The Fisk Corporation as of late is starting to do redevelopment business around this area."
"Am I being outlawed by a guy who looks like Humpty Dumpty?" Spider-Man asked referring to Wilson's public appearance as a bald man.
"Maybe. I'm unclear on what business this guy is up to." George said, "New buildings; new jobs. I mean it sounds nice and all…But I think he's reaping what you sow. I'm sceptical…The guy may be rich and powerful, but he has a lot of dark baggage behind him."
Suddenly something clicked into Spider-Man's mind as he remembered Electro told him about a fat businessman employing him.
"Hm…Maybe that's the next clue." Spider-Man said.
"Sorry?" George asked.
"I got word from Max the other time I fought him that he was released by a fat businessman." Spider-Man said.
"You think Maxwell Dillion was released by Fisk?" George questioned, "I mean… Fisk is shady. But why would he… Unless."
"He has some things to clear up then." Spider-Man said, "I'm going to need to find him."
"The most obvious place would be Fisk Tower in Manhattan. But… I heard that he's bought a house around here recently." George said, "It's at a familiar address."
"A familiar address?" Spider-Man questioned.
"Remember the place Hammerhead used to live in? He's bought the nice fancy house that once belonged to him and is living his life there." George informed.
"Ah…That place." Spider-Man said, "Man, I remember."
Just as Spider-Man was about to go, George stopped him with more words.
"Hey Spider-Man. Can I ask you a question?" George asked.
"What is it?" Spider-Man replied.
"Don't you think we should put more trust in our partnership?" George asked, "I mean…I don't know who you are really. But I was wondering if there's an easy way for us to communicate next time."
Spider-Man paused for a moment before he could give an answer.
"The thing is…If I tell you who I really am. It could lead to the worst things possible." Spider-Man said.
"What things?" George asked, "Tell me. You can trust me, right?"
"I'm afraid I have to come up to you every time we talk or respond to the communicator." Spider-Man said shy from the idea of opening up, "You'll have to excuse me until I come up with something."
Spider-Man then leapt of the house wall and swung away. As this happened, Simon had watched behind his father's back the whole time.
"Dad?" Simon asked, "You didn't sound too happy."
"It's nothing…" George said as he closed the window, "Didn't I tell you to watch the soup boil?"
As Spider-Man swung down the street to find Wilson Fisk, he then noticed someone walking on the street lane as he zoomed past. He briefly turned around to see Gwen walking by herself back to her home.
"So glad to know she wasn't at home at that time." Peter thought beneath the mask as he continued swinging.
Meanwhile, as Gwen walked she also noticed Spider-Man swing past and looked back at his direction for a brief moment before turning away and walking.
"He's always around the neighbourhood." Gwen said as she continued down the street.
7:34 pm Fisk penthouse, Queens…
"I have this under control, Mr. Fisk." Big Man stated beneath his mask, "I promise you… The boy won't be any trouble."
Wilson walked around in the living room anxious before he talked.
"Trust me and take the advice, Foswell… You'd want to dispose off a potential snitch." Wilson said.
"God, I hate this outfit…" Big Man said removing the mask and bowler hat off him to reveal that he is Frederick Foswell underneath.
"Your photographer knows who this Spider-Man is, am I correct?" Wilson asked.
"I don't know… Mr. Jameson wants photos of him back at the Bugle and the kid's the one who's tasked with this unlikely job." Frederick answered, "I don't know…But some of those photos were pretty good shots."
"Then perhaps he's good to keep around for intel." Wilson said.
"Good idea…" Frederick said.
"Um…Hello? Does anyone still live here?" Spider-Man's voice called out from the floor above.
Wilson and Frederick stood still before they decided to take action.
"Cover me…" Wilson ordered as Frederick put on back his Big Man attire.
Walking upstairs slowly, Wilson's heavy footsteps made quite a bit of sound while Big Man followed from behind with a handgun on one gloved hand. Together the two made their way to the balcony where they found Spider-Man walking around.
"Speak of the devil…" Big Man commented and loaded a bullet in his weapon.
"Stand your ground…" Wilson whispered, "Let me handle this."
Spider-Man then found himself facing Wilson Fisk and his enforcer as they opened the balcony slide door and came towards him.
"Holy god…You really are Wilson Fisk." Spider-Man commented, "My god, look at you."
"I'm glad you took notice of my body size…" Wilson replied, "However contrary to popular belief, my body is actually 98% muscle and only 2% fat… What a pleasant surprise to find you on my rooftop."
"Yeah…It's amazing really. To meet you in person versus needing to talk with you over a couple of things." Spider-Man said, "I'm flattered you know who I am. Say, you interested in Queens. I hear?"
Wilson then extended out a large hand of his.
"Do you do formal gestures?" Wilson asked.
Spider-Man looked at the hand before eventually agreeing to shake it. As Wilson's hand clutched and covered his hand, Spider-Man felt the power Wilson has in him.
"Strong grip you got there…" Spider-Man said shaking his hand off after having it squeezed.
"Let's get to know each other better…" Wilson said, "Why do you protect your neighbourhood? What drives you to do the things you can do?"
"Uh…It's a responsibility. Last time, a guy from Russia and a guy with a huge forehead were having a huge gang war in this neighbourhood and I stopped it." Spider-Man said being careful with his words.
"Indeed that is the case…I'm here to clean up what remains of their mess." Wilson replied.
"Elaborate…" Spider-Man said crossing his arms.
"Namely keeping crime in your neighbourhood low. Helping others through humanitarian services and re-establishing property to former glory." Wilson explained.
"Oooh, I like humanitarian services." Spider-Man said before checking Big Man out, "Say, um…Who's the guy wearing the outfit behind you? Looks like an old 1950-60s mobster."
"My bodyguard…" Wilson swiftly answered, "He's a special kind of man on the market."
"That's some strange taste…" Spider-Man replied, "Say…Have you heard of the news that a guy who shoots electricity is out on the loose? Rumour has it some 'fat businessman' released him."
Wilson squinted his eyes to pretend that this is a first for him before giving out a straight answer.
"I am aware. He's on my list as much as you are." Wilson replied.
"What list?" Spider-Man asked with curiosity.
"The list of people who may interfere with the good work I am doing…" Wilson replied again.
"Oh, shoot… Um, I guess that depends on the 'good' work you are doing." Spider-Man said with a hint of suspicion.
"In the coming days, my work will start. And now since you're here… It is time we make a deal." Wilson said.
"A deal? Not the first one I had here." Spider-Man said referring to the time he had with Hammerhead back at this place when they made a compromise to deal with Chameleon.
"I want you to refrain your vigilantism as much as possible. That means you let me handle the crime fighting while I rebuild your neighbourhood." Wilson said.
"Spend less time being Spider-Man? That might be a possibility but I gotta keep my eye on this place." Spider-Man replied, "Speaking of crime fighting? Do you have a secret superhero identity too like Tony Stark? What's it called? Marshmallow Man?"
"Your childish humour is already a downside to this discussion." Wilson remarked, "And I for one…Can't wait to teach you manners."
"Hey, take it easy…" Spider-Man said moving himself back, "So as long as I don't get in your way, you won't as well?"
"That's the idea…" Wilson said, "This is a huge step in business for me."
"Gotcha… Uh, I don't think I have anything left to say." Spider-Man said before his phone started ringing near his utility belt, "Nice talking to you…"
Spider-Man jumped away so that he could pick up his phone. Wilson and Big Man watched as he swung away.
"Fascinating…" Big Man said observing the web-slinging, "What do you think right now, Mr. Fisk?"
"We'll be prepared for him…" Wilson said, "Right now is all a matter of discretion."
Someone's rooftop…
"Hi Gwen." Peter said into the phone once he got far from Wilson Fisk's new penthouse and peeled his mask back a little.
"Hey Peter, how was your day?" Gwen asked.
"Oh, it's been pretty good…" Peter said, "A lot of good work from the Bugle."
"That's nice to hear…" Gwen stated, "At least you're coping well financially now."
"Yeah, figured that Aunt May alone won't be enough." Peter agreed, "And she's happy with the job I got."
"Strange day for me… I had a friend of mine be injected by a serum that Professor Warren made as part of my internship." Gwen said, "He didn't show up to class after that. Aside from that, it's been a great day getting to know all my new friends."
"Well good to hear from your end." Peter said.
"You know…I have a feeling we don't get to see eye to eye that often anymore." Gwen said, "Think we can fix it?"
"I get what you're saying… What are you thinking?" Peter questioned.
"Maybe catch up at some place to eat." Gwen said, "I'm thinking of dinner since I guess it's the best time for the two of us."
"A dinner? Oh, okay then… I'll pay the money for it, if you don't mind." Peter said being reminded of the payment he received today.
"You'll book the place? I guess I'll see you soon there. Let me know as soon as possible where it is." Gwen said, "Love you…"
"Love you too…" Peter said before the phone switched off.
As Peter sat on the rooftop, he thought about the next few days.
"Dinner with my GF and potential things to look forward to with Wilson Fisk. That's a double life right there." Peter thought.
TO BE CONTINUED…