SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 3)
WORKER'S FORTUNE, QUEENS…
The old man who tangled with Spider-Woman hobbled back to his hideaway, an old run-down local bar named appropriately, 'Worker's Fortune'. Deactivating his flight gear, he landed softly with his talons folding down and made his way to the door entrance. He then took off the helmet as well to listen to the sounds around him.
Inside, he could hear laughter and chatter among a group of people. Roughly four men and one woman were in the mix. Together, they were enjoying their time playing cards and having drinks in hand.
"Adrian, you're back." A large man said, "What's the haul this time?"
Adrian said nothing as he gently sat at a tiny corner by himself. He then threw a bag of computer chips onto the table and let out a sigh as he loosened the rest of the gear on him.
"You okay, old timer? Where're the others?" Another man at the table asked.
"Arrested…" Adrian grunted, "Get me a dose of Casanova."
The large man then walked over to Adrian before looking at the computer chip bag.
"Ran into trouble?" The man asked.
"A 'Spider-Man' ambushed me…" Adrian stated whilst tapping the table with his metal fingertips still intact.
"Shit…You ran into Spider-Man? I knew this job you-I mean we are doing would get us into conflict with him." One man at the table said, "Hell, why don't you ditch the wings… I'm sure they're attracting him."
"It wasn't him, Jason. That Spider was a girl." Adrian retorted, "Besides, these wings are the reason I didn't get caught like the rest. I spent a portion of my jail time tuning them."
"Yeah, did anyone hear him outside before he opened the door?" The woman at the table asked.
After the exchange of the dialogue, Adrian got his glass of wine from the bartender as requested to which Adrian sipped.
"You know you're out of your element when you're drinking wine from a regular glass." Jason said.
"Can't a man just have his drink?" Adrian scoffed as his claws clinked onto the glass surface.
"Hey, let me say… Is this whole thing about taking from the rich going to work out in the end?" Jason asked, "With the people you just lost; this whole plan of restarting that business of yours… Even with your wings. You'll probably not see much happen…."
"I'll get my things back!" Adrian said slamming a fist on the table, "I'll deal with the Spider-Woman; ego-driven corporation filth like Oscorp and I'll take back a life time of work stolen from me!"
After Adrian's outburst, the old man winced in pain from his own back.
"Easy Adrian… You know about that… Uh, problem of yours." The large man assured.
"Don't worry about it." Adrian said before finishing his drink, "I'm going to deliver all this stuff to the factory."
Picking up the sack of electronic parts, Adrian got up slowly as he headed to the door.
"Drinks on the tab. And you guys… Keep running business as usual. Don't let anyone in your families or friend circle know about this operation." Adrian said as he left causing the people behind him to ponder, "You want riches; just stick together and do what you're all good at."
As Adrian wandered out of the bar, he then donned back the helmet attached on him before activating his flight gear and soaring off with minimal sound.
REGO PARK, QUEENS (FLASHBACK)…
Fifteen-year-old Peter Parker was a naïve boy trying to make a name for himself. Being the boy who had just learnt that great power comes great responsibility, he was on a quest for justice and looking for all sorts of wrong-doers to be arrested.
Adrian Toomes just happened to be one of those wrong-doers who had his day ruined the moment he met the web-slinger at his junior. Having his former business go under was bad enough but being arrested was a new downfall.
At the time of his apprehension, Peter would have no idea of the events that would unfold for the arrest of one man. Currently, Adrian was in the midst of breaking apart cars and other machinery for components that may profit him.
"I see there's a new way to do carjacking here." Spider-Man commented as he jumped down to greet Adrian who was busy trying to pry open a car at a garage site with his fashioned claws.
Adrian jumped back in surprise to the presence of Spider-Man before talking.
"Go away, boy… I need the mechanical parts here." Adrian replied.
"Sir, I don't think you understand that stealing is stealing. You have a licence to drive?" Spider-Man asked.
"None of this is your business, you strange acrobat. Get out and stop playing dress-up." Adrian argued back.
"There's just been too many carjackings lately and each one was very clean." Spider-Man said.
"Look, boy. I'm not proud of this but I won't be happier if you're still here." Adrian said whilst getting agitated.
"Just leave the car and hand over every battery; panel and stuff you stole." Spider-Man said.
"Well then…" Adrian said before attacking Spider-Man with the crowbar in his hand.
Spider-Man easily caught the crowbar by hand before commenting.
"Pretty standard choice of weapon." Spider-Man said holding onto the crowbar.
Letting go of the crowbar, Adrian then switched to his claws and started swinging at Spider-Man.
"Yeah, that's more interesting." Spider-Man said whilst Adrian being the old man that he is struggled to land a single scratch.
As Adrian continued to fight back, some of his personal tools dropped out of the jacket he was wearing which included a wrench; screwdriver and some bolts.
"Come on…" Spider-Man said before his impatience decided that he should end the fight by tripping Adrian down.
As Adrian fell down, his instance thought resorted to his next gimmick which was aerial flight. Activating the jetpack-live device behind his back, two wings spread out. The speed of the device propelled itself as it dragged Adrian away from Spider-Man and into the air once Adrian got a hold of himself.
Spider-Man shot a web to try and stop Adrian but was soon tugged along as the two of them spiralled in the air.
"Oh, god. We're going airborne…" Spider-Man said as he hanged on.
The web stuck to one of Adrian's wings as he kept flying. He then strapped on a simple respirator mask as he entered the air even further.
"Too high…" Peter said as he tried to gulp as much fresh oxygen as possible from the increasing altitude.
"Let go of me and I might save you." Adrian said demanding Spider-Man to do what he wants.
"You're-…Co-Ming…With… Me." Spider-Man said as he gasped for more air.
"Fine, I guess I will-." Adrian started to say before one of his wings started to burst in flames.
"Not good." Spider-Man said as he continued to cling on.
Adrian realised the danger as well and decided to go lower; however due to the failure of his flight gear, he was starting to lose control.
As the fast descent happened, Spider-Man quickly tried to fire another web from his other wrist and aimed for a tree branch before hitting the ground. Latching onto the branch, he managed to stop himself from hitting the ground however for Adrian, he was not lucky as he hit the pavement with one wing snapping off whilst he tumbled.
In pain, Adrian injured his kneecaps and unable to stand whilst the jetpack on him continued to spark. Spider-Man rushed over quickly and pulled the jetpack off with all his strength. Pulling the device off Adrian, he web-threw the jetpack into the air as it combusted and exploded.
Covering Adrian from the explosion, Spider-Man stopped further harm whilst narrowly avoiding the smelted metal parts that scattered down.
"You okay?" Spider-Man asked getting off Adrian.
"You-You wretched…" Adrian cursed through his mask.
"Okay, not a sign of gratitude." Spider-Man said as he dragged Adrian to the side of the street.
"I'm going to claw you for the mess you made! Do you know how much I have to pay for my gear?!" Adrian said.
"Guess what? You don't need to do all this strenuous work, buddy." Spider-Man said before patting Adrian on the shoulder, "Here."
"What are you doing?" Adrian glaringly asked.
"That…Is what I call, a Spider-tracer. Keeps you on the radar and sends the easy signal for the proper authorities to find you." Spider-Man said explained the little red button-like device on him.
Upon hearing this, Adrian tried to get the Spider-tracer off but Spider-Man instantly shot a web forward and pinned his hands down.
"What is this?" Adrian asked before being webbed shut on the mouth.
"That… Is very tensile material." Spider-Man replied, "Enough to keep you at bay and for you to be found."
Adrian could not mutter anything else except curse in his mind as he looked at his captor with anger. Not even a claw could help him out of the situation.
"Well, have a wonderful night. I got other things to do." Spider-Man said, "See ya."
With one jump away, Adrian remembered the moment for the rest of his life.
STACY RESIDENCE…
Gwen arrived back at her home switching back to her casual outfit but still carrying the stench she had after landing near trash from her fight with Adrian.
Whilst sneaking into the house, she did not expect her mother Helen to be waiting near the staircase with a night gown.
"Oh, mum. Uh… Hi." Gwen greeted.
"This hour again?" Helen asked, "Gwen, what did I always tell you?"
"To be home before midnight…" Gwen said, "I know. But sometimes there's a bit of overtime."
"Don't do overtime. Just do enough. Besides… When are you planning to drop the postage delivery job? That's not a real career, you know." Helen said.
"Mum… I'm trying. I know I don't do finance like you but you gotta believe that I can make it on my own." Gwen said.
"You gave up science; your music passion is in limbo… Are you thinking of anything better in life?" Helen asked.
"Maybe I could reformat dad's…" Gwen said thinking of her father's private investigations place.
"Gwen…" Helen jumped in to stop Gwen from saying anything more.
"Sorry… And sorry for upsetting you again. Can I just take a shower?" Gwen said in haste of wanting to rid the smell on her and not wanting to drag things further.
ROMITA'S RESTURANT…
The next evening, Gwen wore a coat and a long pink dress with heels as she arrived at the place that her family and Peter's used to dine at long before graduation from Midtown. She also had to use a bit of perfume to wear off the remaining stench.
Peter waited in a casual uniform and did not expect the attire Gwen was wearing which stunned and confused him.
"Wow…Uh… A bit full on there." Peter commented whilst in awe.
"Come on, you." Gwen scoffed, "Is this a special night or what?"
As the two entered the restaurant, the waiter greeted the two.
"Lovely couple; table for two. Set." The waiter said before directing the two.
As the two sat down, the waiter then asked them another question.
"Would you two be interested in joining the Romita's Special Reservations list? You can take 20% off your next meals the next time you dine here." The waiter said.
"Might have been handy before…" Gwen whispered to Peter before speaking to the waiter, "Actually, we'll pass for today."
The waiter nodded before passing down the main menus for the two to order.
"So what's on your mind?" Peter asked as he opened the menu up.
"Start with an entrée… Minestrone?" Gwen stated.
"Why not oysters? We've never done that." Peter said.
"Not my thing and the last thing I want to smell like." Gwen said.
"Okay, I noticed the perfume alright?" Peter replied back.
"I had the perfume because yesterday I landed in garbage from my latest scheme." Gwen said.
"Is that the one in Staten Island?" Peter whispered whilst looking around the other tables whilst the waiter waited for their orders.
Gwen nodded and whispered back, "A bird man… Bird man did this."
"Are the orders set?" The waiter said coming back.
"Oh, um…" Peter stammered, "Gwen, what would you like?"
"I'll… Take the chicken parmigiana." Gwen said quickly.
"Very well… I'll go with… The fettucine." Peter added.
"Are you two interested in a free garlic bread for today?" The waiter asked.
"Oh, absolutely…" Peter said.
"Okay." The waiter said before taking the menus away.
"Gwen, here's something I have to tell you." Peter said after the waiter went away, "Don't mess too much with this guy. Stick with the smaller criminals if you can."
"I can take out a green furry and I just happened to beat a yellow armoured man with blasting gauntlets. I think this guy can be taken care of." Gwen replied.
"Well… You don't know. I know I taken on guys with flight but um… Gosh. If it isn't too personal; don't push yourself. Okay?" Peter insisted.
"We'll see. I guess I'll need to figure him out some more." Gwen said, "So um… How's your day, Peter?"
"Life is great…Aunt May is great; my current line of friends all seem to be in good spots and Doctor Connors is great." Peter said, "Doctor Connors and I are changing the world. One step at a time."
"What's it like? And what are you doing?" Gwen said leaning forward with her hand on her chin like the interested girl that she is.
"Developing new prosthetics in accordance to the simulation of the nervous system." Peter stated, "Lose a hand? We got a new one except it can work better."
"Well at least that's handy…" Gwen joked.
"Doctor Connors is also researching lizard stem cells without my help. He says mankind truly owes more to nature itself than their own intelligence." Peter said.
"Is he…Religious then?" Gwen asked.
"I don't know… And I prefer not to ask unless he decides to share." Peter shrugged, "How's your work?"
"Fine? If it weren't for my 'powers'. I guess things would be slow." Gwen said.
"You need to find something else." Peter suggested, "I'm serious."
"My mum said those things to me yesterday night as well." Gwen said, "I get it. But you know New York. You know how many people try to get hired all the time."
"Try some workshops, I hear they help. Volunteer to build skills." Peter said, "I can help you."
"Thanks, Peter. I love that you always see the best of me." Gwen said, "Ah, this place kind of reminds me of the happiest of times."
"Yeah, I guess I can agree to that." Peter added.
As the two conversed, the basket of garlic bread fresh off the oven had arrived for them to feast.
OSCORP BOARD ROOM…
In spite of all of the vigilantism, companies like Oscorp would continue to work. They were quiet and tried to avoid public spotlight as much as possible with whatever has been happening. No doubt, scepticism for Spider-Man was rampant in the offices and it was something the board wanted to address.
Donna Menken, the CFO headed to the board room looking agitated. The news at Staten Island had caused major concern for their supply chain and was something that had be addressed.
"He goes on vacation while I deal with the PR." Donna complained as she walked into the room with her cooperate attire.
The board room was filled with Donna heading to the chair where her boss normally sits.
"Good morning all… Hope you all rested well in spite of the troubling news." Donna said as she spread out the files on her table, "We have a lot to talk but let's see how the stock is going."
"Stock investment is still strong as ever. We're on top of the list and still rank above companies like Roxxon or A.I.M. Only Stark Industries is still leading." An analyst in the room stated.
"Good… Shows that Oscorp remains a fine producer in quality and that interest in us is high." Donna said with satisfaction, "Now…Tell me about what happened over at our Staten Island plant.
"Fifteen thousand units of computer chips had nearly been taken; only two hundred missing." The COO in the room said, "Security there is increased. We have reports that this group of people are labor union people who lost their jobs and are protesting our influence."
"Tell them that if they want work then come to us directly. I'm sure we can take some of them in." Donna said with laughter, "By the way, Oscorp Security will have primary attention today. Could you tell Mr. Smythe on what to do next and bring it back to me?"
"Sure. I'll see what we can do." The COO said.
"Anyway, I just want to talk-.." Donna tried to say before a phone call interrupted.
Picking up the phone from her pocket, she saw that it was a call from someone important.
"Looks like I have to take this call." Donna said, "Continue this meeting by sharing the projects; anything I miss can be emailed to me."
As Donna walked out to pick up the phone, she left the board room to discuss amongst themselves.
"Donna, how are you doing?" A man's voice optimistically chimed in.
"Sir, what a- surprise." Donna said, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Not much, just a word that I'll be coming back to New York soon tomorrow afternoon. I'll be landing in JFK of course. At a private terminal." The voice continued, "Get a chauffeur ready if you can and uh… I'll debrief some things soon and yeah."
"Okay, and have you heard-?" Donna tried to ask before interruption.
"I've heard a lot of what is going on. And you'll hear me sing those out as well. Okay, remember that the boss called. Take care." The voice said before hanging.
"That pompous…" Donna said before turning back to the board room.
TO BE CONTINUED…