Once in a lifetime

Chapter 1

3rd Person

Peter Parker stumbled through his bedroom window with his shirt already half off. He was in the process of changing out of his uniform before he even got to the house. Gonna be late, gonna be late.

Peter, aka Spider-Man, checked his alarm clock: almost 7:00, he had to get a suit and tie on and be at Stark Industries by 8. He didn't want to risk taking the web route to the highest security building in New York. Stark Tower. So the subway it is.

Throwing on a suit that used to belong to his father and a plain red tie, the 15 year old grabbed a handful of hair gel. He slicked back his usually scruffy brown hair so that it was flat on his head.

He hadn't expected patrol to go on for so long. The shocker showed up out of nowhere and almost destroyed... Brooklyn. But nothing would get in the way of this opportunity, he has been waiting for this his entire life. Four months ago Peter sent in an application for an internship at Stark Industries. Now he received notice that he was selected as 1 of 4 out of 300 to be invited to come back for the interview.

Tony Stark was Peter's idol: the man was an engineering and programming wizard. Not to mention the fact that he was a man-made superhero.

Although he doesn't really need them unless he is reading, Peter put on his father's glasses because he felt that they make him look sophisticated. After getting dressed, the teenager snatched his backpack and headed downstairs.

"Aunt May, I'm going to the interview..." When Peter reached the bottom of the stairs, his aunt was waiting with a camera and quickly snapped a photo. It was a rare occasion that her nephew was ever clad in formal attire. "Aunt May," the boy groaned.

She kissed his cheek, "Oh Pete, I'm just proud of you and I know that Ben would be too... Now have something to eat, I don't want you going on an empty stomach." Peter nodded and smiled before stuffing a slice of bread into his mouth.

"Okamm Amnt Mnay Ilm see myou mlatmer," he said while chewing (translation: okay Aunt May, I'll see you later). The woman giggled and waved as the young man rushed out the door.

OOOOO

"Spider-man, Spider-man... does whatever a spider can... ooo yeah. Can he swing? Listen bud, he's a radioactive bug! ooo yeah," a disheveled middle-aged man with a ukelele continued singing as subway riders dropped coins in his cup. Peter placed a dollar inside the Starbucks cup as well. It's always good to see a fan.

Boy, it must have been months since Peter last rode the subway. After all, why travel underground when you could swing through the sky without any traffic? However, the teenager always used to sit in the corner with a hoodie and headphones in. Now, he felt uncomfortable standing in the center with his body pressed up against other rushed New Yorkers. Peter really only interacted with stranger city-dwellers when he was saving them. With his mask off, the boy just felt like a nobody again.

NEXT STOP: STARK TOWER, announced the automated woman's voice over the train speaker.

Peter snatched up his backpack, wormed through the crowded subway car, and shuffled out the door. Before the metal doors slammed shut he could still hear the homeless singer: "Spider-man, Spider-man... friendly neighborhood Spider-man."

OOOOO

Stark Tower looked even bigger on the inside.

It must be at least 100 floors. Nearly every inch of wall was covered in machines and screens. Busy scientists and programmers rushed past the mesmerized Peter Parker with blueprints and briefcases. To his right there was a receptions desk with a barbie-looking blonde woman.

"Uh, hi, I'm Peter Parker. I have an eight o'clock interview for the internship."

Without looking up from her touch-screen contraption, the pink-lipped lady tapped a few times then formed a fake smile, "Of course, Mrs. Potts is waiting for you on floor fifty." Peter nodded and thanked her but he doubted that she even noticed.

The young man travelled across the ground floor to one of the glass elevators. Once inside, Peter reached to press "floor 50" but was surprised to see that there were no buttons. He nearly jumped when a loud voice filled the small room: "Hello, I am Friday the artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark, what is your name and what floor do you wish to visit?"

Peter found it strange that the elevator wanted his name. I guess that is an ingenious way to keep security checks, he thought to himself. "Er... I'm Peter Benjamin Parker, can you take me to level 50?"

Without wasting any time, Friday responded, "Of course, Mr. Parker." For the duration of the relatively long lift, the computer did not talk again. Peter was left to his self-thoughts and AC/DC elevator music.

Eventually the glass doors slid open and Peter stepped out onto a carpeted floor. There were some busy workers at desks but the entire level was basically silent.

About 10 feet in front of him, stood a beautiful red haired woman. She wore a neatly pressed skirt and jacket and stood in striking emerald heels, "You must be Peter, I'm Pepper Potts. Please follow me for the interview."

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