Ever had that feeling of 'a kid in a candy store?' I felt that way immediately as we entered OSCORP. I felt my eyes widen and my mouth drop. The building was huge, hundreds of floors, all filled with science and mysteries waiting to be solved. Discoveries, experiments, etc. I was giddy. I looked at Gwen, we had the same jaw-dropped expression of excitement on our faces. We smiled and laughed.
"Hello everybody." Said a calm voice of a man. "My name is Doctor Curt Connors, and I will be your guide today to OSCORP Industries. Before we start our adventure, please grab your visitors passes. Also, if anyone is interested in the internship job, forms have been sent to your school." I studied the doctor. Harry's dad wasn't lying, he had one arm. Otherwise, the man looked very cleaned up. His hair fell flat, and his round glasses fit his eyes well. His lab coat sleeve was rolled up on his inexistent arm.
"That sounds like something I could maybe do." Gwen said.
"Are you kidding?" I blurted. "Gwen that'd be perfect for us! I-I mean, you! It'd be perfect for you." I felt my face grow hot. Gwen smiled.
"Imagine it, getting paid to learn how to work a building like this." She said.
"Was it a paid internship?" I asked.
"Yeah," Harry interrupted, "my dad's put on the program. Really I think he's just trying to get you working for OSCORP Pete."
"Oh, gosh..." I said, a little embarrassed to be talked about like that in front of Gwen.
"Come alone now!" Doctor Connors suggested. "We can't just sit around chatting all day! The whole world of science awaits!"
To put it long story short, the tour was incredible. We explored everything OSCORP was working on. All science based, yet fun in a matter. We looked at experiments of the most mind-boggling ideas. Everything from permanent sun-impervious skin medication, to a flower that didn't need oxygen to survive. It was incredible to see such amazing laws of science being proven wrong right before my eyes. And I got to spend the whole time with Harry and Gwen, a perfect day... almost.
"Gather around everyone!" Doctor Connors said as we entered a new floor. "What can any of you tell me about the reptilian's survival skills?" A few hands raised, Gwen's blue sleeve shot straight up. "Yes, you in the blue?"
"They adapt to survive in a different way than most, autonomy." She started. "If attacked, the lizard, for example, can detach the targeted limb, and eventually regrow it."
"Correct!" The doctor said. "Does anyone have any idea what we at OSCORP may be working towards here with that field of study?" No hands. "I'm sure one of you has an idea, but I'll explain anyway. Lizards are possibly the most well evolved species with their survival skills. Very hard to kill due to speed and strength. Imagine humans as lizards." The room went silent, Doctor Connors chuckled. "I don't mean it like that! You've probably all observed by now, I am an amputee. Why would I want the ability of a lizard? Reasons obvious, to regrow my arm."
He looked down as we observed. He seemed disappointed, scared even.
"This research, however, is nearly...dead." He said. "OSCORP has decided not to fund it anymore, unless there are results within the next month." He sighed heavily. "Alright everyone!" His tone changed completely, now happy. "Now, the piece de resistance, come with me." He lead us to a small room.
"Do you think this is the spider research?" I whispered to Gwen.
"What else could it be?" She smiled excitedly.
"This room, is very dear to me." Doctor Connors started. "This, is the spider DNA research that has been kept ever so safely at OSCORP thanks to my friend Norman Osborn."
"And don't you forget it!" Harry called out.
"Ah yes, thank you." Connors said, nodding to Harry. "Now, this is the smallest of our showcase, but also the most meaningful. I present to you, the research collected by me and my partner, Richard Parker?"
"Richard Pa-" I covered my mouth. Richard Parker was my father.
Doctor Connors opened the door, and I wanted to shout out of disappointment. It was a large vault. Papers scattered around a display of one spider. I noticed one folder. it had two zeroes on it, the second one with a dash through it.
"Of course," Connors started, "all this information is replicated. None of this is the sure workings of Richard Parker, except for the original of that folder there." He shut the vault. "Sorry to cut off on a low note, but that is all folks. I hope you all enjoyed your stay. Have a safe trip home."
I felt like I was in a trance. Richard Parker? My father worked with Doctor Connors? My dad's research is so highly classified even his partner didn't know? Did Harry know about this? No, he couldn't have. He would have told me by now.
"Unbelievable!" Gwen said, as we took our seats on the bus. "The spider section is not what I expected to see!"
"Well, that's OSCORP for you." Harry said. "Half-assing the big things, and perfecting the small, unneeded stuff. Right, Pete?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah. Sure." I tried to think of what this could all mean. And a bigger question came to mind, what if there really was more of the spiders?