Chapter 8 [Taylor's Office]
A floor above, an overweight man leaned back in his padded chair. Cigar puffed away between his teeth. His eyes bounced between the door and computer screen. His eyes scrolled through Peter's archived pictures from the Daily Bugle website. Chuckle escaped his lips. Jameson finally lost his hold on the kid. Well, he's here. I'm not letting him get away from us!
His phone beeped at him.
That was fast! He picked up the receiver. "Daily Planet, this is George Taylor."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Taylor. Joe Robertson speaking. My assistant said you wanted to speak with me?" Robbie set his pipe into the ash tray. He regarded Ben Ulrich who sat on the other side of his desk.
"I sure do. Just wanted a reference for a new potential hire. Peter Parker just came in a few minutes ago. I'm about to offer him a staff position. I just wanted to check with you first." Taylor flipped through a few more Spider-Man photos.
Robbie cleared his throat. "Pete's as good of a photographer as there is, Mr. Taylor. He's got first class instincts. I know he's worked hard on his angles and photography. There are the pictures from yesterday morning's edition are among his best. He gets photos others don't. He makes that seem routine. I can't recommend him enough."
"So, I see. I agree with you. Apparently, he brought several stories to Felicity Travers' attention a few minutes ago. You know Jameson and I don't see eye to eye, Mr. Robertson. I do value your opinion and instincts. Anyone else I should email or call to ask about Mr. Parker?" Travers scribbled a few notes to himself.
"Thank you for that. Joy Mercado in Features liked his Features work as well. I will say that I've been leaning on him to develop his versatility. You see those Met photos, right? Those came out of a Features assignment. Peter was supposed to take pictures of the Hiroshi Katana. He did that. Several stories fell into his lap because of it. He was following all of them when he left here yesterday." Robbie pointed to the phone. He mouthed 'Peter's at the Daily Planet.'
"That's what I understand as well." Taylor clicked on the 'Features' link. There he saw the katana's pictures. Approval prompted a nod. "I like what I'm seeing. Does he do any writing? Or is he just a photo bug?"
"He's just a photographer. Mr. Taylor, he was an honor student and is on scholarship at Empire State University. I think he and his girlfriend were looking to transfer to Metropolis University. Peter has a lot of potential in several ways. There are many directions he could go in. He just needs an occasional reminder to focus. From what I hear of Ms. Travers, she's good at that." Robbie drank from his coffee.
"Yes, indeed she is! He's already made a good impression on her. That is not an easy thing to do." Taylor wrote a few more notes to himself. "I was thinking that Melissa Donnelly is teaching Journalism. I was going to ask him to take the class since he's right near that college where she's at. With those instincts, I'd like him to write as well. Anyone speak to that?"
"Actually there is. Ben Ulrich's sitting with me. Hang on." Robbie handed the receiver to Ullrich. "George Taylor from the Daily Planet wants to ask you about Peter."
"Sure." Ulrich took the phone. "Yes, Mr. Taylor. This is Ben Ulrich. How can I help you?" He scratched his head.
"I appreciate it, Mr. Ulrich. I've seen your work too. What's Parker like to work with in the field? How are his instincts?"
Ulrich shrugged. "Pete's got first class instincts. He doesn't just follow me around like a puppy dog. He goes off on his own to find angles. Usually, he and I will find things at a scene and let each other know. He's usually with me when I interview. He figures things out very fast. He's one of the best shutterbugs I've worked with. I would think Spider-Man's going to miss his main press agent. Anyhow, the kid can teach a class on photography all by himself right now."
"I imagine so." Taylor noted Peter's 'arrangement' with the Web Slinger. "That's what I wanted to know. I'm glad he survived that bombing yesterday morning. Tragic. I'll be looking him over in a few minutes when he gets up here."
A knock came from the door.
"Put Mr. Robertson back on. I think that's him and Ms. Travers now." Taylor forced himself out of the chair. He lumbered across the room and opened the door. "Ah! Mr. Parker! Ms. Travers! Come in! I was just talking to Joe Robertson and Ben Ulrich back at the Daily Bugle about you. They're on the line with me right now." He ushered them inside. "The big question is how are you doing, Mr. Parker? That was a hell of a close call you had yesterday morning." He offered his hand.
Peter sucked in a deep breath. "I'm okay. I'll admit that at noon yesterday morning, I wasn't expecting to be here this quickly, Mr. Taylor." He shook the offered hand. "I just went for lunch with my girlfriend and her father. Those ninjas surrounded the Coffee Bean. Somehow, I kept my balance and focused enough to get those shots of Spider-Man and the ninjas. So, I brought those pictures and some other ones in for you to look at. I offered a tip to Ms. Travers about some leads in Smallville this morning."
"They're big. The bomber struck again out there, Mr. Taylor. 911 was apparently down out there as well. Our former intern, Chloe Sullivan, was targeted. Lex Luthor's bringing her along with Mr. Parker's companions in here as we speak." Travers held up the envelope. "I have the pictures here from yesterday."
"Excellent!" Taylor motioned toward the seats in front of his desk. He lumbered back to his seat. His chair protested under his renewed weight. He picked the phone back up. "Mr. Robertson? Peter Parker's here. Kid's looking a little wobbly. I'll be talking with Mr. Luthor about making sure he gets some rest for a few days at least. Thanks for the information. Have a good day." He hung up. "Mr. Parker, I appreciate you getting these photos into me. That shows real gusto and journalistic instincts. But I want my staff taking care of themselves too. Can we get you a coffee? Water? Pop?"
"I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Taylor." Peter settled into his seat. "I wanted to get those pictures in here. There weren't any other photographers there. I probably should have sold them to the Bugle. I couldn't get them developed in time. I just finished developing them before we got on Mr. Luthor's jet. I was hoping to take a few days to get checked out and make sure everything's all right."
Taylor exchanged looks with Travers. He took the envelope from her. "Let's see what you got for us." He flipped through the aforementioned money shots. He marveled at the detail and angles. "For someone dealing with a potential concussion, these are something else! Wait! That guy in the demon mask!" He brought up the image on the screen. "It looks like the same guy from the museum."
"He was…and is. He calls himself Lord Yodoshi. We suspect that he's Hansei Arighatto." Peter frowned. Pain irritated him from his temples.
"The Asian business financier? That's a serious charge, Mr. Parker!" Travers took her glasses off.
"He threatened me three hours before I was at the Met. George and Gwen Stacy are coming in with Mr. Luthor and Miss Sullivan. Their house blew up yesterday too. They smelled gas. They didn't have gas though. And we IDed his 'stepdaughter'. Her real name's Miranda Dubois."
"Dubois?" Taylor flipped through the photos until he found the one of Miranda with Singleton. "Son of a….!" His jaw dropped. "Did you see this, Travers?"
"Miranda Dubois' photo? That was one of the leads I mentioned on the phone." She rubbed her finger under her chin. "I was going to ask Lex Luthor for a lead on her current location. I want someone to interview her."
"Someone will!" Incredulity elicited a head shake from him. "Robertson and Ulrich just told me you find things in the field. I'll sure say you did!" His teeth bit down hard on the stogie. Old Pain seared through him. "That scar's on her chin. Yeah that's her. Garth Singleton's one of her uncle's close buddies." His fist crashed down on the desk.
"Mr. Luthor talked about her uncle. I know he's dead…." Peter clammed up. He didn't want to say too much. "Sorry, Mr. Taylor."
"Thanks but you aren't the one needing to apologize." Taylor pushed the end of the cigar into the ashtray atop his desk. "Ben Ulrich said you stumble onto stories. You sure did here! Dubois and I were editors-in-chief of our high schools' respective newspapers back East. We were rivals for the state awards. We also broke some major stories together. Singleton was one of the editors. You see Steve Petersen? They're partners. Petersen was Dubois' sports editor too. He's also the FBI's head agent on her missing persons' case. I knew she was out there! Arighatto had her stashed out here, did he?" A terse hiss wormed its way through his teeth. "Unreal!" He spread the photos out across his desk. "These are unbelievable shots. Robertson said that you had potential. I definitely see it."
"So you like them?" Peter leaned forward. Hopes (and Dollar Signs) floated in front of his eyes.
"Like them?" Taylor guffawed…Loudly…. "Mr. Parker, what the Hell did Jameson do to you?" His eyes rolled. An indelicate snort puffed through his nostrils. "I LOVE THIS! Based on these pictures, what you just told me and my conversations just now, I want you here with us at the Daily Planet! You want to go to school? Well, you can if you want. I want you here." He pointed at his desk. "There's a lady out near you, Melissa Donnelly. She used to be at the Dallas Morning News. She teaches Journalism between Granville Community College and Smallville High School. I want you in her summer school class! You've got instincts. I want you to get the whole enchilada from an expert! Ulrich's great. I've got no doubt about that! I want you to get Donnelly's take too. We'll cover it."
"You want me here? Just like that?" Peter scratched his head. Granted, he wanted to do more biochemistry. Still, the full-time job would allow Gwen to go full time without worrying about money. Stacy would appreciate his ability to support Gwen. Opportunity seemed great to be honest. Maybe I can work for a while. Gwendy can go to school. Mr. Stacy will see that I care about all of this.
"Yes, Mr. Parker. Mr. Taylor just said so. I agree. There are always improvements to be made and learning to do. We can't bring you on until August 15th . Donnelly's out at Granville Community for their first summer session. That starts in a couple of weeks. Maybe you can offer a workshop out there at some point? If you do so, let me know. The check from these pictures will allow you to start looking for a place to live here in Metropolis as well." Travers raised her eyebrow at him. "We do offer a relocation benefit. I can recommend a good realtor. But I want you solidly back on your feet first. You were caught in an explosion yesterday. I'm glad Spider-Man got you out of your apartment. Mr. Taylor just told Robertson that you looked wobbly. I recognize the signs. I'd say you have a concussion at the least."
"After I get better, maybe there'd be some freelancing opportunities?" Peter tried to figure out his finances. Gwen's tuition bills, Donnelly's class, a new house and other needs flashed in front of his eyes. Necessity demanded income. Income meant assignments either as staff or freelancer….
…Jameson wouldn't have cared (or came off that way). Taylor and Travers seemed different….
Taylor sighed. "I like your enthusiasm. Believe me. For what you went through to get these shots, we're going to pay you top dollar. I'll be talking with Lex Luthor about this when he gets here. I also want to talk with Chloe Sullivan too. But get your basics down! You need time to get yourself together. That check should cover you for a little while. We'll see beyond that." He leaned back in his seat. "You'll find our offer and benefits are quite generous. Tuition remission's part of it. Normally, it isn't until six months on the job. Donnelly's class, however, I'm making an exception for." He patted the photos. "I'll pay you $400 apiece for these photos."
Peter stared at him. "That's….wow!" Shock cut off potential replies. "I'll take it." He put his hand out.
"Outstanding. You'll find that I'm fair about my prices. We're tough as Hell on standards. Do the work and we'll take care of you." Taylor shook Peter's hand. "Travers can draw up your contract and talk specifics. Take the summer to get those ducks in a row. Take that class. We'll be checking in with Donnelly and you. You're an A photo bug. Let's see what else you got up that sleeve." He heard his phone ring. "Just a second." He picked up the phone. "Yes?"
"Mr. Taylor, Lex Luthor, Chloe Sullivan and some other people are here to see you from Smallville," Mei La informed him.
"Very good. Show them in. I want them here with Mr. Parker and us. Thanks!" Taylor hung up. "Everyone's here." He got up from his chair and headed for the door.
Peter glanced at Travers. Questions ran through his mind. More than that, the fact that his photos turned into a job….
…that is if he could get his feet under himself there in Kansas. Now that was the question….
