Chapter 2: A New Job

Peter tries to calm his breathing as he waits in the small reception area outside the publishers office at the Daily Globe. He wipes his sweaty palms on his knees and the plastic chair groans as he leans forward. If he cranes his neck, he can just barely see over the balcony into the floor below. It's bustling with ringing phones, people talking, and general chaos as workers go about their business. Peter feels somewhat removed from it due to the distance but it's still not helping his nerves any.

The receptionist returns from downstairs with a glass of water, which she hands to Peter. "Sorry if I'm being presumptuous, but you looked like you ran here with how flushed you were. Thought you could use a drink," she says with a kind voice.

Peter flushes and ducks his head. After murmuring a soft "Thank you, ma'am" he gulps it down quickly. The woman goes back to her desk with a look on her face that says she is cooing at him internally and Peter ducks his head even lower when he notices it.

As he sits there, Peter begins to notice a slight off feeling from his spider sense. It's not a warning but more of a general awareness that something is happening that he needs to pay attention to. He takes a furtive glance around but doesn't notice anything that sticks out.

This also does not help with his nerves.

Peter pushes it to the back of his mind as the office door opens and a man storms past and down the stairs. Before Peter can even get properly curious, the receptionist is leading him in and introducing him to the publisher, Barney Bushkin.

After the receptionist leaves, Bushkin glances over the resume then starts flicking through the photos in the portfolio. Peter had mixed in shots of Spider-Man pre-print with a few other vigilantes or villains, photocopies of some of his photos on the front cover of the Daily Bugle, and also some random shots of people or architecture he found interesting.

The quiet is broken by Bushkin. "I see you freelanced for the Daily Bugle. I won't even ask why you are looking elsewhere, that place is a joke". He snorts with derision then continues, "you consider yourself an experienced photographer, kid?"

Peter gulps then offers "I do, Mr. Bushkin, Sir. I did a lot of photo editing in high school for the yearbook and helped take school photos. I also started selling my photos to the Daily Bugle when I was 15 so I guess you could say I have 5 years of 'professional experience,'" he chuckles weakly.

"Well, I guess I'm not surprised the Daily Bugle would have such low standards or morals to take advantage of a youngster like that," Bushkin mutters. Peter probably wasn't supposed to hear the comment, but it did raise his opinion of the man. He continues in a normal voice, "I'll admit, your photos seem decent enough but I've got freelancers up the wazoo offerin' dirt cheap vigilante shots. I'll admit yours are better quality, but we report on more than just celebrity gossip and masked crackpots here and I'm not sure if you'll fit the bill for where we have the need, if you get what I'm sayin'".

"I'm actually trying to get away from the freelance gigs, Sir. My interest lies in photojournalism. I'm majoring in Photography at ESU and plan on minoring in journalism as well." If only because I've already taken enough of the elective classes to qualify for it anyway, Peter adds to himself.

Bushkin steeples his fingers and his cushioned chair squeaks in protest as he leans back. "Yes, I noticed that double major situation you got going on. Seems like a lot for a youngin' like you to handle along with a job".

Peter sits up straighter in his chair and maintains steady eye contact with Bushkin. "I assure you, Sir, I am more than capable of handling my coursework along with whatever assignment you give me."

Peter may have been well known in high school and the early days of college for being somewhat of a flake. However, once he settled into his powers and into his workload, he was better able to prioritize what needed to be done. He also got a lot of help from a girl in the Academic Success Center his freshman year that showed him the wonder of color coded planners and schedules.

He clears his throat and continues, "I may be young, but I am dedicated to my work and photography is one of my deepest passions. Your ad did mention flexible hours. If you are willing to give me a chance, I will show you that I am worthy of it."

The office falls back into silence for a moment then Bushkin is leaning forward to reach out a hand to Peter. "Well Mr. Parker, after a speech like that, I guess I gotta give you that chance," he says with a slight chuckle. "We'll hire you on as a part-timer and give you a 30 day trial."

"Thank you so much, Mr Bushkin" Peter rushes out shaking his hand enthusiastically. "You won't regret it, Sir!"

"See that I don't. And don't call me that mr. Bushkin nonsense. Barry is fine. Sandra will get you set up with the paperwork. Welcome to The Daily Globe kid".

—-

Peter is still in mild shock as he starts making his way down the stairs to leave. He filled out some paperwork with the receptionist, who asked him to "Please call me Sandra, I'm not old enough to be called Ma'am yet". She also asked him for a timetable of when he would be available both during the day and surprisingly at night as well. She explained its necessity with a remark that he may work with journalists who keep weird hours. It's a good thing that Peter already keeps weird hours himself.

He will have to update his working schedule on a biweekly basis due to his rotating free periods for photography, but he'll have at least a little leeway there. Sandra was able to sign a new work release form for him to submit to the photography department's Dean.

Peter makes his way across the floor to the elevator in a bit of a daze. Despite his distraction, his spider-sense is telling him that there is someone watching him. He feels it from the moment he starts down the stairs all the way to the elevator. Peter tries to casually scan the room while waiting for the elevator doors to open, but doesn't see anyone looking his way. Despite that, he feels the weight of the unknown watcher's gaze up until the elevator door closes, blocking his view into the room. He is reminded of the odd feeling he had before the meeting.

Well that's not concerning at all…

It's not enough to dampen the excitement he's feeling, but Peter can't help the uneasy feeling churning in his gut simultaneously.