"SPIDER-MAN" by David Koepp Based on Characters Created by Stan Lee and Steve Dit o !

ADE IN" E#$% A BACK ALLE& - DA& $he screen is 'i((ed by the 'ace o' PE$ER PARKER) a seventeen year o(d boy% *i+h schoo( ,-st not be any '-n 'or Peter) he.s one h-ndred percent nerd- s inny) /itty) +(asses% *is 'ace is 0-st 'ro/en there) a crin+in+ e1pression on it) 2hich stri es -s odd -nti( 2e rea(i/e the i,a+e is 'ree/e 'ra,ed% PE$ER 34%5%6 Loo ) I., +oin+ to 2arn yo- ri+ht -p 'ront% I' so,ebody to(d yothis 2as a happy story) i' so,ebody said I 2as 0-st yo-r avera+e) ordinary seventeen year o(d) not a care in the 2or(d%%% $he i,a+e -n- 'ree/es% A !IS$) at the end o' a ri+ht hoo ) co,es into 'ra,e and p-nches poor Peter% *is head snaps bac and bo-nces 'or2ard) his eyes ro((% PE$ER 34%5%6 3cont.d6 %%%so,ebody (ied% $he i,a+e 'ree/es a+ain) Peter.s +(asses dan+(in+ 'ro, one ear% PE$ER 34%5%6 3cont.d6 $hat.s ,e% Peter Par er% A%K%A% Spider- Man) b-t not yet% 7otta +o thro-+h so,e rit-a( h-,i(iation 'irst% A(( ri+ht) I didn.t 2ant yo- to see ,e (i e this) b-t 2e ,i+ht as 2e(( +et it over 2ith% $he i,a+e -n'ree/es a+ain) another 'ist co,es into 'ra,e) this one a (e't cross% It CR8NC*ES into Peter.s nose and he cr-,p(es to the pave,ent in this a((ey in the city% $*REE *I7* SC*55L P8NKS co,,ence po-ndin+ the crap o-t o' hi,% !LAS* $*5MPS5N is the (eader) he.s seventeen) +ood- (oo in+) body o' a t2enty- ei+ht year o(d% !LAS* &o- do N5$ ta( to her9 *o2 ,any ti,es I +otta te(( yo- that: Do yo-

(isten 2hen I ta( : *ey9 I as ed yo- a ;-estion9 Do yo- LIS$EN 2hen I., ta( in+ to yo-:9 PE$ER *-h: Sorry) I 2asn.t (istenin+% $his enra+es !(ash< he p-nches Peter in the ribs% Peter +roans in pain% !LAS* Ne1t ti,e yo-.re +onna pay) p-ny Par er) yo- are +onna pay% Peter spits o-t so,e b(ood% PE$ER =i(( a credit card be o ay: $he other t2o P-n s (a-+h) they 'ind Peter ind o' a,-sin+% $his -psets !(ash even ,ore) he pic s -p a +arba+e can and is abo-t to brin+ it do2n on Peter.s head 2hen a voice 'ro, behind stops hi,% =hat M%>% ind o' ,an-

$hey t-rn% A +ir( stands in the entrance to the a((ey- MAR& >ANE =A$S5N) seventeen) pain'-((y se1y a(ready) 2ith a no2(ed+e and sadness in her eyes that are 2ay beyond her years% M%>% 3cont.d6 -pic s on a he(p(ess (itt(e d2eeb: PE$ER Loo ) I no2 yo- ,ean that in a +ood 2ay%%% !(ash raises the trash can a+ain% M%>% Leave hi, a(one) !(ash% !r-strated) !(ash -pends the trash can) d-,pin+ its contents on Peter.s head and tossin+ it aside% *e and the other P-n s head 'or the ,o-th o' the a((ey) (eavin+ Peter behind) covered in +arba+e) h-,i(iated% M%>% (in+ers) 'or a ,o,ent it.s 0-st the t2o o' the, in the a((ey% PE$ER $han s) M%>% She s;-ints at hi,% *ave 2e ,et: *e +ets -p and 'o((o2s her o-t o' the a((ey% PE$ER 3cont.d6 Ne1t door%%% M%>% *-h: PE$ER $hat.s 2hat I 2as tryin+ to say on

the b-s) I (ive ri+ht ne1t door to yo-% And I., in yo-r bio(o+y c(ass% $hey ro-nd a corner o-t o' the a((ey) and 2e seeE#$% C5L8MBIA 8NI4ERSI$& - DA& -they.re in Manhattan) in 'ront o' an i,pressive o(d b-i(din+ on the Co(-,bia ca,p-s% A ye((o2 schoo( b-s is par ed at the c-rb< a b-nch o' *I7* SC*55L S$8DEN$S sc-rry (i e insects -p the ,arb(e steps% A stressed o-t $EAC*ER 2ith a c(ipboard is ne1t to the b-s% $EAC*ER Peop(e) p(ease) no 2anderin+9 I' yo- are a Midto2n *i+h Schoo( st-dent on the 'ie(d trip) I need yo- in the b-i(din+ no29 PE$ER 3to M%>%6 $his c(ass% 5-r c(ass% 3no reco+nition6 I., Peter% M%>% 3I.ve never seen yo- be'ore in ,y (i'e6 5h yeah9 =e(() yo- better +et a2ay 'ro, ,e% !(ash has a rea( te,per) and I ,i+ht not be there to save yo-r b-tt ne1t ti,e% PE$ER I 2as doin+ 'ine% She reaches o-t) 2ipes a bit o' b(ood 'ro, his (o2er (ip% S(o2(y% She s,i(es% M%>% S-re yo- 2ere) $i+er% She disappears into the cro2d% Peter si+hs) and sits at the ed+e o' a 'o-ntain) starts c(eanin+ hi,se(' o''% *e 2atches her 2a( a2ay% She o2ns his heart% 5-rs too% =e +o 2ith M%>% as she heads into the b-i(din+% She passes a $o2n Car 2ith tinted 2indo2s that.s par ed at the c-rb% She stares) si+hs to herse(') a heartsic (oo on her 'ace% =hoever.s inside) he o2ns her heart% INSIDE $*E $5=N CAR) *ARR& 5SB5RN) seventeen) sits in the bac seat) ne1t to N5RMAN 5SB5RN) 'i'tyish% *arry has a(ready inherited a (ot 'ro, his 'ather- a recedin+ hair(ine) so,e dis;-ietin+ 'acia( tics) and) pres-,ab(y) a 'ort-ne% Nor,an stares o-t the 2indo2) sha in+ his head% *ARR& Anythin+ 2ron+) Dad: &o- hard(y said a 2ord a(( the 2ay 'ro, the ho-se%

5SB5RN &o-.(( have to +et dinner yo-rse(' toni+ht) I need to 2or % *ARR& $hey say i' yo- ta( abo-t so,ethin+ that 2orries yo-) yo- ta e a2ay its po2er% 5SB5RN I 2as -nder the i,pression yo- as ed ,e to +ive yo- a (i't) not de(iver a speech on the 2ay% *ARR& 3st-n+6 Sorry% Nor,an (oo s at hi,) so,ethin+ very de'inite(y on his ,ind% *e +(ances -p) notices the DRI4ER.s eyes in the rear vie2 ,irror as they dart a2ay 'ro, hi,% 5SB5RN >ohn: =o-(d yo- ,ind: DRI4ER Not at a(() sir% 5N $*E S$REE$) A 'e2 st-dents notice the Driver as he +ets o-t o' the $o2n Car) c(oses the door) and stands beside it) hands c(asped in 'ront o' hi,% S$8DEN$ 5sborn% 7otta be 5sborn% IN $*E $5=N CAR) Nor,an t-rns to his son% 5SB5RN I don.t appreciate the a,ate-r psychoana(ysis% Maybe yo- sho-(d stop seein+ Dr% *irsch) yo-.re startin+ to thin yo-.ve +ot his de+ree% *ARR& Is it the co,pany: I' there.s a prob(e,) yo- co-(d te(( ,e abo-t it% Is there: 5SB5RN Considerin+ 5sCorp.s ,ar et capita(i/ation 0-st e1ceeded the +ross nationa( prod-ct o' Spain) the ans2er to yo-r ;-estion is no) there.s nothin+ 2ron+ at the

co,pany% *ARR& $hen 2hat: 5SB5RN *o2 ,any private acade,ies have yobeen ic ed o-t o': 3*arry (oo s a2ay6 *as it s-n in 'or yo- that yo-.re no2 attendin+ a p-b(ic schoo(: Are yo- a2are o' the ra,i'ications o' that: *ARR& 3'eeb(y6 I (i e it better% 5SB5RN 5ne day yo- 2i(( inherit 5sCorp% 5ne day yo- 2i(( r-n ,y co,pany% My +rand'ather.s co,pany% Since yoas ed) *arry) that.s 2hat 2orries ,e% In 'act) it terri'ies ,e% *arry ,-,b(es so,ethin+ ina-dib(e) h-,i(iated% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 &o- ,ay have been +iven the na,e 5sborn) b-t yo- haven.t earned it% 5N $*E S$REE$) A rear door SLAMS and the $o2n Car p-((s a2ay 'ast) (eavin+ *arry on the c-rb% $he 'irst thin+ he sees is Peter Par er) 2ho has 'inished c(eanin+ hi,se(' -p at the 'o-ntain and is (oo in+ at the $o2n Car envio-s(y- 2o2) a cha-''e-red ride% *ARR& =hat are yo- (oo in+ at: *e t-rns and sta( s -p the steps o' the b-i(din+% Peter si+hs% Ro-+h ,ornin+% $58R 78IDE 35%S%6 $here are ,ore than ?@)AAA species o' spider in the 2or(d% IN$% C5L8MBIA 7ENE$IC RESEARC* INS$I$8$E - DA& $hirty- odd st-dents are (ead aro-nd a caverno-s (aboratory by a $58R 78IDE% $hey pass a n-,ber o' (ar+e spider e1hibits% $58R 78IDE $hey are in the order Aranae) 2hich is divided into three s-b- ordersMesothe(ea) 5rtho+natha) and Labido+natha% A(( spiders are carnivoro-s) raveno-s eaters 2ho

'eed on ,assive ;-antities o' protein) in (i;-id 'or,) -s-a((y the 0-ices o' their prey% Arachnids 'ro, each o' the three +ro-ps possess varyin+ stren+ths 2hich he(p the, in their constant search 'or 'ood% Peter) 2ho 2ears a ?BMM ca,era aro-nd his nec ) eeps his eye on M%>% She.s 2ith !(ash $ho,pson a+ain) his ar, draped possessive(y over her sho-(der% Peter 2inces and t-rns a2ay) bac to the to-r% *-rts to (oo % $he 7-ide points o-t a speci'ic +ro-p o' spiders in a +(ass- 2a((ed tan % $58R 78IDE 3cont.d6 !or e1a,p(e) the 0-,pin+ spider'a,i(y Sa(ticidae) +en-s Sa(tic-scan (eap -p to 'orty ti,es its body (en+th) than s to a proportionate ,-sc(e stren+th vast(y +reater than that o' a h-,an bein+% Peter is 'ascinated- the 7-ide ,oves to the ne1t tan % $58R 78IDE 3cont.d6 $he '-nne( 2eb spider) 'a,i(y *e1athe(idae) +en-s Atra1- one o' the dead(iest spiders in the 2or(d) spins an intricate) '-nne(- shaped 2eb 2hose strands have a tensi(e stren+th proportionate(y e;-a( to the type o' hi+h- tension 2ire -sed in brid+e b-i(din+% M%>% peers c(ose(y at the '-nne( 2eb spider) a bi+) b(ac ) nasty- (oo in+ br-te% *er eyes shine) she.s stran+e(y attracted to it) a to-ch o' the 7oth in her% M%>% I (ove spiders% !LAS* 3sh-dders6 I step on the,% $58R 78IDE $he crab spider- 'a,i(y $ho,isidae) +en-s Mis-,ena- spins no 2eb to catch its prey) b-t h-nts instead) -sin+ a set o' re'(e1es 2ith nerve cond-ction ve(ocities so 'ast so,e researchers be(ieve it a(,ost borders on preco+nition) an ear(y a2areness o' dan+er) a "spider sense%" Peter catches the eye o' the $o-r 7-ide and +est-res to his ca,era- o ay to ta e a 'e2 pict-res: PE$ER

!or the schoo( paper: $he $o-r 7-ide nods% A 'e2 S$8DEN$S aro-nd Peter ro(( their eyes) one or t2o ,-tter "7ee/%" Peter i+nores the,) raises the ca,era to ta e a pict-re% Behind hi,) a P5P8LAR KID b-,ps his e(bo2 on p-rpose) r-ins the pict-re% 5ther ids (a-+h% Peter raises the ca,era a+ain) +ets b-,ped a+ain% *e t-rns aro-nd) +ives a +(are% $he Pop-(ar Kid steps 'or2ard) threatenin+% A 45ICE ,-tters 'ro, nearby% *ARR& Leave hi, a(one% $he Pop-(ar Kid t-rns) sees *arry 5sborn starin+ at hi, in a s(o-chy sorta 2ay% P5P8LAR KID 5r 2hat: *ARR& 5r ,y 'ather 2i(( 'ire yo-r 'ather% $he Pop-(ar Kid b(in s) (oo s at *arry) 2ho stares) hyper- con'ident% $he Pop-(ar Kid bac s o'') =*ISPERS to a 'riend- can he do that: Peter (oo s at *arry +rate'-((y% *ARR& 3cont.d6 52ed yo- one) Par er% Sorry abo-t be'ore% *ey) *arry.s not so bad% $hey reach the center o' the rot-nda '(oor) 2here RESEARC*ERS and $EC*NICIANS 2or at benches and co,p-ters s-rro-ndin+ a (ar+e e(ectron ,icroscope that is the (ab.s centerpiece% Lar+e video screens aro-nd the roo, disp(ay +iant i,a+es o' the ,icroscope.s area o' scr-tinyspider DNA% $he $o-r 7-ide contin-es) the speech +ro2in+ intense% $58R 78IDE 5ver 'ive painsta in+ years) Co(-,bia.s +enetic research 'aci(ity has '-((y ,apped the +enetic codes o' each o' these spiders% 8P AB54E $*EM) In the hi+h arch o' the rot-nda) a spider has sp-n a ,a+ni'icent 2eb that +(istens in the (i+ht% $he spider sits at the center o' it% =aitin+% !ee(in+ 'or the vibrations o' an -n(-c y visitor% $58R 78IDE 35%S%6 Ar,ed 2ith these DNA b(-eprints) 2e have no2 be+-n 2hat 2as once tho-+ht i,possib(e- inter- species +enetic trans,-tation% D5=N BEL5=)

$he +ro-p is (ed to2ard a set o' sea(ed +(ass doors to another (aboratory% $he $o-r 7-ide (eads the +ro-p over% $58R 78IDE $his is the Reco,bination Lab) 2here 2e -se synthesi/ed trans'er- RNA to encode an entire(y ne2 +eno,e) co,binin+ +enetic in'or,ation 'ro, a(( three spiders into these ten +enetica((y- desi+ned s-per- spiders) the 'irst ,an ind has ever prod-ced% $he c(ass s-r+es 'or2ard to chec it o-t% $en very creepy (oo in+ ,-tant spiders cra2( abo-t in a +(ass tan ri+ht in 'ront o' their eyes% M%>% 32ide- eyed) (ovin+ it6 Dis+-stin+% $58R 78IDE >-st i,a+ine- i' one day 2e can iso(ate the stren+ths) po2ers and i,,-nities in h-,an bein+s and trans'er that DNA code a,on+ o-rse(ves% A(( no2n disease co-(d be 2iped o-t% 5' co-rse) 2e.re no2here near ready to start e1peri,entin+ 2ith h-,ans) nor do 2e no2 that 2e ever sho-(d% So 'or the ,o,ent 2e.re concentratin+ on these ten spiders% Any ;-estions: PE$ER Nine% $58R 78IDE I be+ yo-r pardon: PE$ER I on(y co-nt nine spiders% $58R 78IDE No) there.s ten% Aren.t there: As he and the others t-rn their attention to the tan the cei(in+% 8P IN $*E R5$8ND ARC*) $here is an air vent that (eads o-t o' the sea(ed (ab area and 'eeds into the rot-nda% $he vent has a space bet2een its bars 0-st bi+ eno-+h 'or a spider to cra2( thro-+h% And ri+ht ne1t to the air vent is the spider.s 2eb) the one 2e sa2 be'ore% $he ,-tant spider is on the ,ove) cra2(in+ across its 2eb to2ard a '(y that has been ca-+ht at the ed+e% $he spider 'in+ers its 2ay steadi(y across its 2eb% $hen) 2ith a b(indin+(y 'ast ,ove) it po-nces% and start co-ntin+ the spiders) 2e dri't -p to

$he hairy beast s-rro-nds the str-++(in+ '(y) en+-('s%%% and devo-rs it% D5=N BEL5=) $he to-r +ro-p has +iven -p on the ,ystery o' the ,issin+ spider and is 'o((o2in+ the $o-r 7-ide) 2ho.s headin+ o'' 'or the ne1t part o' the (ab% M%>% (in+ers behind 'or a ,o,ent) by herse(') and Peter s2a((o2s% *e ,ay never +et another chance (i e this% PE$ER Can I ta e yo-r pict-re: I need one 2ith a st-dent in it% She hides a s,i(e% She (oves the ca,era% PE$ER 3cont.d6 Ri+ht there) this is +ood% *e raises the ca,era as she poses in 'ront o' the +(ass% Above hi,) a thin vertica( (ine o' spider2eb +(istens in the (i+ht% At the end o' it) the spider dan+(es) droppin+ 'ro, its 2eb) +(idin+ do2n to2ard the '(oor be(o2% 8na2are) Peter eeps snappin+ pict-res% PE$ER 3cont.d6 &o-.re photo+enic% M%>% $hat.s 2hat ,y a+ent te((s ,e% $his +ir( is o-t o' his (ea+-e% Above) the spider contin-es to drop) strai+ht do2n to2ard Peter.s ri+ht hand) 2hich he.s -sin+ to c(ic the sh-tter and 2ind the 'i(, advance% Peter c(ic s o'' another shot% $he spider dra2s c(oser) headed 'or the spot bet2een Peter.s th-,b and 'ore'in+er% Its hairy (e+s co,e in 'or a (andin+ on Peter.s pin '(esh andPE$ER 52999 *e sha es his hand) hard) to '(ip the spider o'' o' hi,% $he spider '(ies o'' and (ands on the '(oor% !ro, across the roo,) !(ash be((o2s 'or M%>% M%>% I +otta +o% She h-rries a2ay) tossin+ a ,oderate(y concerned (oo M%>% 3cont.d6 &o- o ay: B-t she doesn.t stic aro-nd 'or an ans2er% its 'an+s into his s in% over her sho-(der%

Peter (oo s at his hand% $here are t2o tiny red ,ar s 2here the spider san Peter bends do2n) (oo s at the spider on the '(oor%

It.s dead% 5n the h-+e e(ectron ,icroscope disp(ay screens) s2ir(in+ strands o' DNA ,o(ec-(es co,bine) detach) and reco,bine% C8$ $5" E#$% 7ENE$IC RESEARC* INS$I$8$E - NI7*$ Ni+ht has 'a((en) and the city has a di''erent character) ,ore o,ino-s) sirens =AILIN7 nearby% $he +ro-p o' st-dents co,es o-t o' the Co(-,bia b-i(din+ and po-rs do2n the stairs to2ard the 2aitin+ b-s% Peter stra++(es a(on+ at the rear o' the +ro-p% *e st-,b(es and p-ts a hand to his head% !ee(in+ stran+e% IN$% B8S - NI7*$ $he b-s ro((s thro-+h the city% In the very bac seat) M%>% is ,a in+ o-t 2ith !(ash% A 'e2 ra-co-s ro2s -p) Peter is a(one) covered in s2eat and pa(e as a +host% R-bbin+ his hand) he notices it has t-rned red and b(otchy 2here the spider bit hi,% *e to-ches his 2rists +ent(y- they see, to ca-se hi, +reat pain% =hat the he((: C8$ $5" IN$% PARKER *58SE - LI4IN7 R55M - NI7*$ 5n $4) pro'essiona( 2rest(ers +o at it% BEN PARKER) a ind(y ,an in his ear(y si1ties) 2atches 'ro, a Barco(o-n+er in the (ivin+ roo, o' a ,odest t2o- story ho,e% 5n the te(evision) an ANN58NCER is terrib(y e1cited% ANN58NCER 35%S%6 -three tho-sand do((ars) one tho-sand per ,in-te in the rin+) payab(e 5NL& i' yo- s-rvive the '-(( one h-ndred and ei+hty seconds9 $he 'ront door opens and Peter sta++ers in% 8NCLE BEN *ey) Pete% $a e a (oo at the act this 0o er coo ed -p% Ca((s hi,se(' Bone Sa2 Mc7ra2% PE$ER %%%don.t 'ee( 2e((%%% 8NCLE BEN =hat: MA& PARKER) a 'rai( 2o,an the sa,e a+e as Ben) appears in the door2ay 'ro, the o' the, see, 2ay too o(d to be Peter.s parents% A8N$ MA& itchen% Both

*e((o) dear) ho2 2as the 'ie(d trip% I saved a nice p(ate 'or yoin the oven) 2e had pot roast 2ithPE$ER 3headin+ -pstairs6 %%%not h-n+ry%%% A8N$ MA& =here are yo- +oin+: PE$ER %%%+otta s(eep%%% everythin+.s 'ine%%% *is bedroo, door SLAMS% A8N$ MA& Is he a(ri+ht: Does he have the '(-: 8NCLE BEN 32aves it o''6 *e.s seventeen% A8N$ MA& *e.s depressed% 8NCLE BEN *e.s seventeen% She heads 'or the stairs) b-t 8nc(e Ben ta es her ar, and stops her +ent(y% 8NCLE BEN 3cont.d6 Don.t hover) May% *e.(( (et -s no2 i' he needs he(p% IN$% PE$ER.S BEDR55M - NI7*$ Peter drops to his nees in his bedroo, and c(-tches his abdo,en in pain% PE$ER 3+aspin+6 *e(p%%%%% *e 'a((s to the '(oor) 2rithin+ in a+ony% *e (oo s at the hand the spider bit) 2hich is no2 co,p(ete(y red and s2o((en% *e to-ches his 2rists a+ain) b-t yan s his 'in+ers a2ay% $hey are intense(y sensitive% No2 drenched in s2eat) he be+ins to sha e -ncontro((ab(y 2ith chi((s% *e ,ana+es to pa2 one hand -p to the bed) rip the b(an et and sheets o'' it) and dra+s the, do2n over hi,% *e h-dd(es -nder the,) tre,b(in+ vio(ent(y) 'ace pa(e) eyes b(ac and s-n en) teeth chatterin+% S-dden(y) his eyes ro(( -p into the bac '(ic er rapid(y% IN PE$ER.S DREAM S$A$E) o' his head and he passes o-t% 8nder the (ids) his eyes

7eo,etric shapes t-,b(e to2ard -s) rectan+(es) he1a+ons) octa+ons) dodeca+ons) a(( ,er+in+) b(endin+) ,a in+ sense) (i e a 2ay coo( ?-D spider Screen Saver% $he +eo,etric shapes s-dden(y a(i+n the,se(ves and '(atten o-t) 2e rea(i/e 2e.re at the center o' a spider.s 2eb) 'irst person point o' vie2% =e +(ide s(o2(y over the 2eb) to2ard an insect ca-+ht at the ed+e o' it% A pair o' 'an+s co,es into o-r 'ie(d o' vision) o-r 'an+s) they sin deep into the thora1 o' the he(p(ess '(y) +(o2in+ +reen +oo oo/es o-t aro-nd the p-nct-re) the i,a+e is terri'yin+ and) 2ith a SCREAM 2e C8$ $5" IN$% PE$ER.S BEDR55M - DA& Peter 2a es -p) ,ornin+ s-n(i+ht strea,in+ thro-+h his 2indo2% *e b(in s a 'e2 ti,es) horri'ied by his drea,% *e hasn.t ,oved 'ro, the position he co((apsed into on the '(oor% B-t as he orients hi,se(') he see,s to 'ee( better% Care'-((y he stretches his (e+s) ta es a 'e2 deep breaths% De'inite(y 'ee(s better% Re(ieved) he thro2s aside the b(an et and sheets-and 7ASPS% A stic y 2hite ,ass is a(( over hi, and the sheets) so,e ind o' si( y s-bstance% 7rossed o-t) Peter str-++(es to pee( the sheets o'' and 'ree hi,se(' 'ro, the +(-ey strands% As he raises his ar,s) he notices that the st-''.s tendri(s (ead -p to the -ndersides o' his 2rists% *e e1a,ines his 2rists% $hey.re oo/in+ a pear(y 2hite '(-id 'ro, a(,ost invisib(e s(its abo-t a ;-arter o' an inch (on+% $he s(its are p-''y) +reat press-re on the s in 'ro, inside% *e p-shes on the s in ne1t to one o' the s(its) to re(ieve the press-re% A dar shape) the si/e and co(or o' a rose thorn) e,er+es 'ro, beneath the s in and shoots a 0et o' (i;-id si( into his 'ace% Peter SCREAMS at the top o' his (-n+s and pa2s the st-'' o-t o' his 'ace% *e ho(ds the other 2rist) a2ay 'ro, his body this ti,e) and tries a+ain% $he sa,e thin+ happens a+ain) b-t this ti,e the si( shoots -p to the cei(in+- and stic s there% $here is a KN5CK on the door% A8N$ MA& 35%S%6 Peter: Are yo- a(ri+ht: PE$ER !ine9 I., 'ine% >-st havin+%%% had a bad drea,% A8N$ MA& 35%S%6 &o- ,-st be starvin+) yo- ran ri+ht past yo-r dinner (ast ni+ht) so I ,ade an enor,o-s brea 'ast% *o2.s yo-r '(-: Any better this ,ornin+: *e sta++ers to his 'eet) trai(in+ strands o' 2ebbin+ a(( over the '(oor% A8N$ MA& 35%S%6 3cont.d6 Peter: Any chan+e: PE$ER Chan+e9 &es9 Bi+%%% chan+e9

IN$% BA$*R55M - DA& Peter co,es into the bathroo, and t-rns on the sho2er% *e strips o'' his tee- shirt and does a do-b(e- ta e in the ,irror% *is chest) so -nderdeve(oped yesterday) is no2 that o' a 7ree +od% Nothin+ overdone) not a body b-i(der.s chest) b-t a per'ect one% *e chec s o-t his ar,s) his ca(ves) his thi+hs% Incredib(e% P-ny Par er no ,ore% *e st-dies hi,se(' in the ,irror% Notices so,ethin+ e(se di''erent% PE$ER *ey% *e pic s -p his +(asses 'ro, the co-nter top and p-ts the, on% *e s;-ints) everythin+.s '-//y no2% *e ta es the, o'' and it.s @AC@A% *e tries once ,ore- on) o''% *e can see% IN A C5RNER) Peter.s +(asses (and in the trash can% C8$ $5" IN$% KI$C*EN - DA& $he 'ront door o' the re'ri+erator is yan ed open) hard) and Peter starts r-,,a+in+ thro-+h the st-'' inside) ,-,b(in+ to hi,se('% PE$ER "%%%,assive ;-antities o' protein%%% nat-ra( 0-ices o' their prey%%%" A-nt May and 8nc(e Ben (oo at each other) then bac at hi,%

A8N$ MA& Everythin+ o ay: Peter t-rns) +na2in+ on a piece o' ,eat (oa'% PE$ER 8h h-h% 8NCLE BEN So,ethin+ yo- 2ant to te(( -s: Peter stops che2in+ 'or a second) thin s% *o2 e1act(y do yo- 2ord this: Ans2er- yo- don.t% PE$ER Nope9 C8$ $5" E#$% S$REE$ - DA& Peter 2a( s to his b-s stop) raveno-s(y eatin+ a ch-n do2n the other side o' the street% o' (e'tover stea % *e sees M%>%) 2a( in+

PE$ER $a( to her) ta( to her) ta( her) ta( to her%%%

to

!ee(in+ e,bo(dened today) he raises a hand and 2aves% PE$ER 3cont.d6 *i9 She s,i(es) 2aves bac % She stops and says so,ethin+) b-t a car drivin+ bet2een the, ,a es it i,possib(e to hear% *e c-ps a hand to his ear) can.t hear yo-% She says it (o-der) sti(( can.t hear her% C-rio-s) Peter steps o'' the c-rband into the path o' a speedin+ de(ivery tr-c % $he horn =AILS% M%>% SCREAMS% Peter (oo s -p) the tr-c .s +ri(( is ri+ht on top o' hi, and bearin+ do2n 'ast) there.s no 2ay he 2i(( avoid bein+ hit) -n(ess o' co-rse he 0-,ps% So he 0-,ps% $2enty 'eet) strai+ht -p into the air% *e (ands on a b-i(din+) b-t on the side o' the b-i(din+) and c(in+s to it by his hands and 'eet) he(d there as i' by s-ction c-ps% PE$ER 3cont.d6 *A*:9 D5=N 5N $*E S$REE$) M%>% stares in horror as the tr-c c(ears her (ine o' vision% Peter has vanished% s(o2s and t-rns a corner% No body st-c to the +ri((% And

She (oo s do2n the street) as the tr-c no th-d) either% $hat.s 2eird%

Another *5RN 0ars her 'ro, her reveries% It.s !(ash and his Cronies) co,e to +ive her a ride to schoo( in a very e1pensive car% She c(i,bs in the bac and it p-((s a2ay) (eavin+ her sti(( starin+ o-t the bac 2indo2) p-//(ed% 5N $*E SIDE 5! $*E B8ILDIN7) Peter c(in+s) terri'ied) (oo in+ do2n at the +ro-nd 'ar be(o2% *e p-((s one hand o'' the side o' the b-i(din+ +in+er(y) to reach -p) 'or the roo'% B-t he (oses his traction and drops) p(-,,etin+ strai+ht to2ard the +ro-nd% =here he (ands 2ith cat(i e +race% PE$ER Da,n9 *e (oo s aro-nd hi,% Nobody.s 2atchin+) so he tries it a+ain) bendin+ his nees this ti,e% *e 0-,ps) soars) strai+ht -p into the airE#$% B8ILDIN7 R55! - DA& -and (ands on the roo' o' the three story b-i(din+% $eeterin+ 'or ba(ance) he reaches o-t and +rabs ho(d o' a drainpipe-and the ,eta( CR8S*ES -nder his +rip% *e (a-+hs) +iddy) thri((ed beyond be(ie'% *e +rabs another pipe) this one +a(vani/ed stee() and s;-ee/es it 2ith the other hand% Sa,e res-(t% Co,p(ete(y 'rea ed o-t) Peter 2a( s to the ed+e o' the b-i(din+ and (oo s do2n) then across at

the even ta((er b-i(din+ across the a((ey% *e (oo s at his 2rists a+ain% *e raises his ri+ht ar, and e1tends it to2ard the b-i(din+) tries to +et the +oop to spray o-t% B-t it doesn.t co,e% *e ,a es a 'ist% Nothin+% *e c(oses his th-,b and (itt(e 'in+er to+ether% Nothin+% *e rotates his hand so the pa(, 'aces -p) e1tends a(( 'ive 'in+ers) and brin+s his rin+ and ,idd(e 'in+ers to2ard his pa(,) to+ether% $*=IP9 A sin+(e strand o' 2ebbin+ shoots o-t 'ro, his 2rist) strai+ht -p% Peter 'ro2ns) tries to direct it ,ore% $his ti,e it +oes o'' in an arch to the (e't% PE$ER *ard to ai,%%% 5ne ,ore try% $his ti,e the 2ebbin+ '(ies across the a((ey and stic s to the side o' the other b-i(din+% Peter t-+s on it% It.s to-+h% *e p-((s harder% Can.t brea it% *e 2raps both hands aro-nd it and yan s as hard as he can% *e doesn.t brea the 2ebbin+) 2hat he does is p-(( hi,se(' ri+ht o'' the roo' o' the b-i(din+% Peter SCREAMS as he sai(s thro-+h the air) b-t he eeps his +rip on the 2eb) and the res-(t is that he s2in+s across the a((ey and (ands on the 2a(( o' the b-i(din+ opposite) c(in+in+ there 2ith his hands and 'eet% *e t-rns) a(,ost instinctive(y) cra2(s head 'irst do2n the side o' the b-i(din+) and (ands on his 'eet in the a((ey% *e t-rns and (oo s aro-nd% Nobody sa2 hi,% *e (a-+hs% Stops% !rea s o-t% PE$ER 3cont.d6 5h boy% C8$ $5" IN$% MID$5=N *I7* - C5RRID5R - DA& CL5SE 5N Peter.s shirts(eeves) 2hich he has p-((ed do2n as 'ar as he can to cover his 2rists% In 'act) he.s c(-tchin+ the, 2ith his 'in+ers to eep the, do2n) not ta in+ any chances as he 2a( s do2n a cro2ded hi+h schoo( corridor% *e reaches his (oc er and starts dia(in+ a co,bination% S-dden(y his bro2 '-rro2s) he p-ts a hand on the bac o' his nec % PE$ER =eird sense%%% dan+er%%% =e 'o((o2 his hand and dra2 c(ose to the bac o' his nec ) very c(ose) so c(ose that 2e can see the very hairs on the bac o' his nec as they stand -p9 Re'(e1ive(y) he 2hips aro-nd in de'ense post-re) in ti,e to see a !IS$ that.s headed strai+ht to2ards hi,% Li+htnin+- ;-ic ) he darts to the side) a sp(it- second ahead o' !(ash $ho,pson.s thro2n p-nch) 2hich BAN7S into the (oc er 2here Peter 2as standin+%

!LAS* Co-(dn.t eep a2ay 'ro, her) co-(d yo-: &o- 0-st had to stic yo-r ca,era in her 'ace% $2o o' !(ash.s cronies h-rried(y c(ose the c(assroo, doors on either side o' the ha((2ay) to b(oc the vie2 o' the teachers 2ithin% PE$ER I don.t 2ant to 'i+ht yo-) !(ash% !LAS* I 2o-(dn.t 2ant to 'i+ht ,e either% A cro2d ;-ic (y 'or,s aro-nd the,% !(ash ta es t2o ,ore s2in+s) b-t a+ain Peter d-c s the,and 'ast% !(ash is p-//(ed% Sensin+ an attac 'ro, behind) Peter s-dden(y d-c s% 5ne o' !(ash.s cronies) 2ho 2as snea in+ -p on hi,) is (e't +rabbin+ air% Peter stands) '(ips the +-y o'' his bac % A cro2d 'or,s to 2atch) *arry 5sborn a,on+ the,% Enra+ed) !(ash R5ARS and (-n+es at Peter% Peter d-c s one) t2o) three) 'o-r p-nches) never even havin+ to ,ove his 'eet) 0-st dartin+ his torso aro-nd so 'ast he creates a ,otion b(-r% *arry sha es his head) i,pressed) +ives a (oo to the person standin+ ne1t to hi,) 2ho happens to be M%>% She ret-rns the (oo % *arry (oo s bac at the 'i+ht) then does a do-b(e ta e bac at M%>% *o(d the phone) she.s hot%%% Bac in the 'i+ht) Peter c(enches his hands into 'ists to +o on the o''ensive% 5'' to the side) one o' the c(assroo, doors opens% Peter p-((s bac to thro2 a p-nch) 0-st as a $EAC*ER steps o-t o' the open door%

$EAC*ER =hat the he(( is +oin+ on o-t here:9 !(ash t-rns at the voice) b-t it.s too (ate 'or Peter to p-(( the p-nch% It (ands so(id(y on !(ash.s 0a2 and sends hi, sai(in+ bac a+ainst the (oc ers) hard% *e s(-,ps to the '(oor) -nconscio-s% Peter 7ASPS) shoc ed at his o2n stren+th% !RIEND D &o- chic en- shit) he 2asn.t even (oo in+9 !RIEND @ 3to the $eacher6 !(ash 2as 0-st standin+ there and Par er s-c er- p-nched hi,9 $EAC*ER Par er: S-re he did% PE$ER

I did9 Rea((y9 !riend D (-n+es at Peter) ,ore $eachers strea, in to ho(d the, bac ) and it a(( disso(ves into chaos% PE$ER 3cont.d6 3sho-tin+ over the ,e(ee6 I S=EAR I DID9 ASK .EM9 I AC$8ALL& DID9 *arry t-rns to M%>%) +rinnin+% *ARR& I., startin+ to (i e the (itt(e spa//% She s,i(es- 'riend(y) shy) de,-re) (eadin+- a proven- e''ective co,bination) and it.s not (ost on *arry% *ARR& 3cont.d6 By the 2ay) ,y Na,e.s 5sborn% M%>% By the 2ay%%% I no2% C8$ $5" E#$% S$REE$ - !5RES$ *ILLS - NI7*$ An e1pensive car p-((s over) (o-d M8SIC p(ayin+ 'ro, inside% *arry 5sborn at the 2hee(% A (a-+hin+ Mary >ane =atson c(i,bs o-t) to the ra-co-s +ood- byes o' *arry and his 'riends% A(2ays a party so,e2here 'or M%>% As the car p-((s a2ay) a S*58$ED C8RSE dra2s her attention to her ho-se) a (o2er- ,idd(e c(ass ho,e 0-st (i e Peter.s% $hro-+h the (ivin+ roo, 2indo2s) she can see a MAN and =5MAN ar+-in+) p(ain(y visib(e o-t here) their voices 2ay too (o-d% M%>% races -p the steps and +oes into the ho-se% =e (in+er o-tside) hear the S*58$S contin-e) her voice no2 addin+ to the,% M%>% p-((s the b(inds) b-t the si(ho-ettes are sti(( visib(e inside% A chi(d be+ins to CR&) 2hich on(y see,s to in'(a,e the ,an ,ore% $he ,an.s speech s(-rs) he.s -nsteady on his 'eet) he.s ,-ch too (o-d% M%>% BAN7S thro-+h the screen door) co,in+ o-t on the porch a+ain) carryin+ a $*REE &EAR 5LD B5&% She drops on the 'ront steps) tryin+ to i+nore the chaos inside that ho-se% Inside her ho-se% $he (itt(e boy b-ries his head in her sho-(der) s-c s his th-,b% M%>% tries to co,'ort hi,% M%>% +(ances to the side) to the ho-se ne1t door% It.s Peter Par er.s ho,e) ri+ht beside hers) ,aybe ei+ht 'eet a2ay) across a narro2 drive2ay% She sees Peter) a(so o-t on his porch) 2ith his 8nc(e Ben% In contrast to her o2n sit-ation) Peter and his -nc(e see, to be havin+ a ;-iet) tho-+ht'-( conversation% M%>% 2atches the,) envio-s% $o have so,eone o(der) 2iser) so,eone 2ho tr-(y cares%%% 5N $*E P5RC* 5! $*E PARKER *58SE) Peter (istens to his -nc(e% 8NCLE BEN I 2on.t as 2hat the 'i+ht 2as

abo-t) that.s yo-r b-siness% &o-.re chan+in+) and that.s nor,a(% $his is the a+e 2hen a ,an beco,es the ,an he.s +oin+ to be 'or the rest o' his (i'e% A(( I., sayin+ is to be care'-( 2ho yo- chan+e into% 5 ay) pa(: PE$ER I., tryin+) 8nc(e Ben) I a,% I 'ee( a(( this) this3choosin+ 2ords care'-((y6 -po2er) b-t I don.t no2 2hat it ,eans) ho2 to contro( it) even) or 2hat I., s-pposed to do 2ith it% 8NCLE BEN &o-.(( 'i+-re it o-t% &o-.re one s,art coo ie) Pete) yo-r teachers te(( ,e they.ve never seen a science 2hi/ (i e yo- at this a+e% Kno2(ed+e is po2er% B-t 2ith +reat po2er co,es +reat responsibi(ity% Re,e,ber that% "5' those to 2ho, ,-ch is +iven) ,-ch is re;-ired%" M-ch ,ore than ha((2ay 'ist 'i+hts% Peter nods) thin in+) a,a/ed at ho2 insi+ht'-( his -nc(e.s 2ords are- i' on(y he ne2 everythin+% PE$ER 8nc(e Ben) I thin yo-.re abo-t the best 'ather a +-y co-(d ever have% 8NCLE BEN 8nc(e) Peter% 8nc(e% &o- had a 'ather% PE$ER =hat rea((y happened to ,y parents: 8NCLE BEN *ere 2e +o a+ain%%% PE$ER $hey 2or ed 'or the +overn,ent) didn.t they: 8NCLE BEN It 2as a p(ane crash) son% Nothin+ ,ore) and nothin+ (ess% PE$ER I 2ish there 2as so,e 2ay I co-(d he(p yo- and A-nt May the 2ay yohe(ped ,e% Maybe +et a 0ob) pay so,e o' the bi((s 2hi(e yo-.re

(aid o''% A-nt May.s ,edicine isn.t e1act(y 'ree) I ,ean) ho2 are 2e8NCLE BEN 3+ets -p6 Payin+ bi((s is ,y 0ob) not yo-rs% PE$ER I 0-st 2ant to he(p% 8nc(e Ben isses hi, on top o' the head% 8NCLE BEN Love yo- 'or that) iddo% *e +oes inside% Peter t-rns and (oo s thro-+h the 2indo2 as 8nc(e Ben sett(es bac into his Barca(o-n+er% *e says so,ethin+ positive to A-nt May) 2ho.s on the so'a% She casts a hope'-( (oo o-t at Peter as 8nc(e Ben pic s -p the re,ote and t-rns the $4 bac on% *ey) +-ess 2hat.s on- 2rest(in+% !ro, here) Peter can see the screen% A s,i(e spreads across Peter.s 'ace as an idea ta es shape% *e 0-,ps to his 'eet) *55$S in e1cite,ent) and (eaps- onto the side o' the ho-se% *e cra2(s) strai+ht -p% E#$% =A$S5N *58SE - NI7*$ Ne1t door) M%>% is s(-,ped over) head in her (ap% Ne1t to her) the $hree &ear 5(d 2atches) sti(( s-c in+ his th-,b) as Peter cra2(s -p the side o' his ho-se) over the top o' his 2indo2) then reaches over) -pside- do2n) p-((s the 2indo2 open) and cra2(s do2n thro-+h it) across the cei(in+ o' his roo,% *e drops onto the '(oor and p-((s the shade% $he $hree &ear 5(d p-((s his th-,b 'ro, his ,o-th% $*REE &EAR 5LD $he ,an cra2(s -p his ho-se% $he th-,b +oes bac in% M%>% raises her head% She sees nothin+ -n-s-a(% She drops her head in her (ap a+ain% I' on(y she.d been (oo in+%%% C8$ $5" IN$% PE$ER.S BEDR55M - NI7*$ A ne2spaper CRINKLES open to a (ar+e ad in the sports section% Attention A,ate-r =rest(ers9 $*REE $*58SAND D5LLARS !or 0-st three ,in-tes in the rin+9 Co(or'-( characters a ,-st9 Peter.s hand RIPS the ad 'ro, the paper% A$ A DESK) Peter has a s etch pad in 'ront o' hi, and is dra2in+ rapid(y) the o-t(ine o' a h-,an 'i+-re and vario-s cost-,e possibi(ities% *e dra2s a pair o' 2in+s on the 'i+-re%

PE$ER A spider 2ith 2in+s: *e scribb(es the, o-t% *e tries antennae) hates those too) cr-,p(es -p the pa+e and starts over% *e s etches so,e 2eb- type (ines over the 'ace and ar,s- hey) that (oo s coo(% *e dra2s the eyes% Lar+e) 2ic ed 0ac o.(antern ova(s) 2ith -pt-rned ed+es% 5oohh%%% IN $*E SC*55L LIBRAR&) Peter is st-dyin+ a boo ca((ed "Princip(es o' Se2in+)" ta in+ copio-s notes% An A$$RAC$I4E 7IRL 2a( s past) Peter s(a,s the boo c(osed% 5n his 'in+er% 5N *IS BED) $2o Dans ins spi(( o-t o' a p(astic ba+) one ,idni+ht b(-e and the other a deep red% Co(ors (oo +ood to+ether% A RAE5R KNI!E C-ts thro-+h the b(-e) then the red) then thro-+h a near(y- opa;-e 2hite ,esh he.s -sin+ 'or the eyes% =ith a b(ac ,ar er) he dra2s a bi+ b(ac spider o-t(ine in the ,idd(e o' the red 'abric%

E#$% >8NK&ARD - DA& Peter stands in an abandoned 0-n yard) e1peri,entin+ 2ith the spinnerets that have +ro2n in his 2rists% *e.s set -p a ro2 o' tar+ets o' varyin+ si/es abo-t 'i'ty 'eet a2ay% *e tries to hit an o(d te(evision set% Misses 2i(d(y% $ries so,ethin+ (ar+er- a .FG P(y,o-th D-ster% Not even c(ose% Peter is 'r-strated% >-,pin+ bac a 2ays) 2e +et a (oo at the 2ho(e 0-n yard% =eb strands cover everythin+) every2here% *e.s +oin+ to have to 'i+-re this o-t% IN$% SC*55L SCIENCE LAB - DA& Peter h-nches over a ,icroscope% *e (oo s both 2ays) ,a es s-re nobody is 2atchin+ hi,) then shoots a (itt(e 0et o' 2eb '(-id 'ro, his 2rist onto a s(ide and p-ts it -nder the ,icroscope% IN$% PE$ER.S BEDR55M - NI7*$ Spar s '(y% Peter has dis,ant(ed severa( Eippo (i+hters) 2atches) and assorted o(d 0e2e(ry and is si(ver- so(derin+ the, to+ether in a ne2 2ay% *e pic s one -p) b(o2s on the so(der) and p-ts it aro-nd his 2rist% It.s hin+ed in the ,idd(e) ri+ht -nderneath a s,a(() de(icate(y ,o-nted no//(e that s2ive(s in a(( directions% Peter c(oses the 2rist- brace(et aro-nd his 2rist) ri+ht over his bio(o+ica( spinnerets% E#$% >8NK&ARD - DA& Bac in the 0-n yard) Peter no2 2ears the brace(ets over his 2rists% Peter shoots o-t a 2ebSPLA$9 A direct hit on a Co e can 'i'ty 'eet a2ay%

Peter +rins% *e shoots another 2eb) SMACKS into a ,i( acc-racy%

container a h-ndred 'eet a2ay) pinpoint

*e spins aro-nd (i e a +-ns(in+er) shootin+ 2ebs in a(( directions) +iddy% 5ne 2eb SMACKS into the side o' a car that.s been cr-shed and stac ed on top o' ten other cars% Peter p-((s) 'or+ettin+ his stren+th) and the entire to2er o' 2rec ed cars be+ins to tip over to2ard hi,% *e (-n+es 'or2ard) instinctive(y) and p-shes the stac bac -pri+ht% A,a/ed and de(i+hted 2ith hi,se(') he raises both ar,s) S*58$IN7 in tri-,ph) he ai,s ri+ht at -s) bends the t2o ,idd(e 'in+ers o' each hand bac to2ard his pa(,s) t2o 0ets o' 2ebbin+ i,,ediate(y '(y strai+ht o-t to -s) s,ac -s in the 'ace) and 2e "2eb" disso(ve toE#$% ARENA - DA& -,idto2n Manhattan) 2here A $*58SAND =RES$LIN7 !ANS strea, into a s,a((ish arena on a Sat-rday a'ternoon% An o(d Chevy Caprice p-((s over at the c-rb% IN$% CAR - DA& 8nc(e Ben is at the 2hee() Peter beside hi,% PE$ER &o- didn.t have to drive ,e) 8nc(e Ben% $he train stops ri+ht across 'ro, the Library% 8NCLE BEN I tho-+ht this.d +ive -s a chance to ta( % PE$ER =e hard(y said a 2ord9 8NCLE BEN =ho needs 2ords: Peter (a-+hs and sha es his head% 8nc(e Ben +rabs a bro2n paper ba+ 'ro, the bac starts to hand it to Peter) 2ho snatches it a2ay 'ro, hi, an1io-s(y% PE$ER $han s% I +ot it% 8NCLE BEN Pic yo- -p on this corner at si1 o.c(oc 9 Peter 2aves and heads o'' do2n the street) 2a( in+ a+ainst the tide o' 2rest(in+ 'ans as his -nc(e p-((s bac into tra''ic% Peter 2atches ti(( the Chevy is +one) then t-rns aro-nd and 0oins the cro2d headed into the arena) 0-st as a dea'enin+ R5AR co,es over andIN$% ARENA - DA& -2e see a C5S$8MED AMA$E8R =RES$LER s(a, into the 2a(( o' a ca+e ,atch rin+ in the ,idd(e o' a s,a(() hot) d-sty arena% $he =rest(er 7R5ANS in a+ony) a RE!EREE 0-,ps in to stop the seat and

,atch as B5NE SA= Mc7RA=) si1 'eet nine i' he.s an inch) three h-ndred po-nds o' p-re ,-sc(e) R5ARS at the cro2d) standin+ over the bro en body o' his 'a((en cha((en+er% $his p(ace is nasty% A 78ARD h-rries to a +ate in the 2a(( o' the ca+e) -n(oc s it) and PARAMEDICS r-sh in to he(p the he(p(ess a,ate-r% A RIN7 ANN58NCER steps 'or2ard) +rabs a dan+(in+ ,icrophone% RIN7 ANN58NCER Seventeen seconds:9 Seventeen seconds) (adies and +ent(e,en 9 9 Is there no one 2ho can (ast three ,in-tes in the ca+e 2ith Bone Sa2 Mc7ra2: Bone Sa2 R5ARS a+ain) thro-+h a ,o-th'-( o' bad teeth% Mi+ht even be a 'e2 2ords in En+(ish in there% As the Para,edics carry the a,ate-r 2rest(er 'ro, the rin+ on a stretcher" RIN7 ANN58NCER =i(( the ne1t victi, p(ease enter the rin+ at this ti,e9 I' he can 2ithstand 0-st three ,in-tes in the ca+e 2ith Bone Sa2 Mc7ra2 the s-, o' three tho-sand do((ars 2i(( be paid to%%% *e t-rns and +est-res to rin+side% A spot(i+ht '(ic s on% $2o 78ARDS open the ca+e doors 2ide and Peter c(i,bs to the top o' the stairs) into the spot(i+ht) c(ad in his ho,e,ade cost-,e% It (oo s pretty +ood% $he Anno-ncer chec s hi, o-t) (eans over) covers the ,icrophone% RIN7 ANN58NCER 3cont.d6 =hat do they ca(( yo-) ,an) "$he Spider:" SPIDER-MAN 3(i es the so-nd o' it6 "Spider- Man%" &eah) Spider- Man9 RIN7 ANN58NCER 3bac into ,icrophone6 $hree tho-sand do((ars 2i(( be paid to SPIDER-MAN9 =i(( the +-ards p(ease (oc the ca+e doors9 SLAM9 SLAM9 $2o h-+e barred doors CLAN7 sh-t ri+ht behind Spider- Man) start(in+ hi,% CLICK9 CLICK9 Keys t-rn cere,onio-s(y in the (oc s% A BELL RIN7S And the 'i+ht be+ins% Bone Sa2 does his -s-a( R5ARIN7 thin+% Spider- Man s2a((o2s) hovers at

the ed+e o' the rin+% $his +-y is terri'yin+% Bone Sa2 R5ARS a+ain) (o-der) e1pectin+ Spider- Man to (-n+e at hi,% Spider- Man tre,b(es in the corner% $he Cro2d C*EERS 2i(d(y) ca((s 'or Spider- Man.s i,,ediate destr-ction% Bone Sa2 R5ARS) happy to ob(i+e) and h-r(s hi,se(' across the rin+) three h-ndred po-nds o' br-te 'orce% Spider- Man.s 2ide 2hite eyes pop even 2ider and 2hiter% At the (ast second) he (eaps) strai+ht -p into the air% Bone Sa2 passes -nder hi,) rebo-nds o'' the ropes) and Spider- Man (ands neat(y on his sho-(ders% *e +rins) con'idence +ro2in+) 'ast% SPIDER-MAN Not a bad cost-,e) 2hat is that) Spande1: I -sed Lycra 'or ,ine and it itches (i e cra/y% Bone Sa2 atte,pts to bac 'a(() to cr-sh Spider- Man -nder hi,) b-t o-r hero is too ;-ic 'or that% *e stretches o-t a 2rist and shoots a 2eb strai+ht above hi,) to the bars at the top o' the ca+e) t2enty 'eet -p% $he 2eb stic s there) and 2hen Bone Sa2 drops to the canvas) he is a(one% *e b(in s) the 2ind noc ed o-t o' hi,% Direct(y above hi, he sees Spider- Man) dan+(in+ -psidedo2n 'ro, his 2eb) ,i,in+ chec in+ his 2atch% SPIDER-MAN 3cont.d6 7ee) a ,in-te a(ready% Can I +et a ,a+a/ine: Bone Sa2 SCREAMS in an+er and (eaps to his 'eet% Spider- Man '(ips over) c(i,bs -p his 2eb strand -nti( he.s t2enty 'eet above it a((% *e ye((s do2n% SPIDER-MAN 3cont.d6 *ey) Bone *ead9 Does that co-nt as stayin+ in the rin+: B5NE SA= C5ME D5=N *ERE9 SPIDER-MAN 5 ey- do ey9 *e (ets +o o' his 2ebbin+) droppin+ t2enty 'eet) strai+ht do2n% *e (ands ri+ht on top o' Bone Sa2) 2ho drops to the canvas beneath hi,) pinned% $he Cro2d 'rea s o-t% !(ashb-(bs pop% Spider- Man raises his ar,s) tri-,phant% SPIDER-MAN 3cont.d6 Ahh%%%% sho2 bi/% IN$% ARENA 5!!ICES - NI7*$ $he ad,inistrative o''ices) -pstairs at the arena% $he PR5M5$ER p-ts a sin+(e h-ndred do((ar bi(( into Spider- Man.s pa(, 3Peter is sti(( 2earin+ the cost-,e6% PR5M5$ER No2 +et o-tta here% SPIDER-MAN

A h-ndred b-c s: $he ad said three tho-sand9 PR5M5$ER Chec it a+ain) 2ebhead% It said three +rand 'or three ,in-tes% &opinned hi, in t2o% !or that I.(( +ive yo- a h-ndred) and yo-.re (-c y to +et it) 2ise ass% &o,ade ,y best 'i+hter (oo (i e a +ir( o-t there% Behind the,) a s;-irre((y- (oo in+ +-y s(ips into the o''ice) hair dyed p(atin-, b(onde% SPIDER-MAN &o- don.t -nderstand) it.s not 'or ,e) it.s 'or ,y a-nt) she needs this ,edicine) see) andPR5M5$ER A sic a-nt: Are yo- 'or rea(: I ,issed the part 2here this is ,y prob(e,% Spider- Man stares at hi, 'or a (on+ ,o,ent) b-rnin+ 2ith ra+e) he 2ants to b-st this +-y ri+ht in the nose) he tre,b(es) his hands c-r( into 'ists) he co-(d p-t hi, ri+ht thro-+h the 2a(( i' he 2anted to-b-t he t-rns and (eaves instead% IN$% *ALL=A& - NI7*$ Spider- Man 2a( s a2ay do2n the corridor) c(-tchin+ the (o-sy h-ndred do((ar bi(() ,-tterin+ -nder his breath% *e.s near(y to the e(evator 2hen he hears a S*58$ 'ro, behind hi,% PR5M5$ER *ey9 =hat the he(( do yo-*e t-rns% Si(ho-ettes ,ove vio(ent(y in the 'rosted +(ass 2indo2 in the door to the ad,inistrative o''ices% $he Pro,oter.s shado2 is thro2n vio(ent(y to the '(oor) the door BAN7S open hard) shatterin+ the +(ass) and the s;-irre((y- (oo in+ +-y races o-t) c(-tchin+ a canvas ba+% *e is a $*IE!% PR5M5$ER 3cont.d6 *e(p9 Po(ice9 $hat +-y sto(e the +ate) he.s +ot ,y ,oney9 A C5P approaches 'ro, one end o' the corridor% $he e(evator DIN7S) its doors start to open) and the $hie' ta es o'' do2n the ha((2ay to2ard it% $he Cop +ives chase) ca((in+ ahead to Spider- Man% C5P *ey) yo-9 Stop that +-y9 Spider- Man (oo s -p) at the $hie' racin+ strai+ht at hi,) at the Cop +ivin+ chase) at the openin+ e(evator behind hi,% *e thin s) debates-and ta es a step bac % $he $hie' races ri+ht past hi, and into the e(evator%

$*IE! $han s) 'rea % $he doors c(ose and he +ets a2ay% $he Cop arrives) SLAMS his 'ist on the e(evator doors% C5P =hat the he((.s the ,atter 2ith yo-:9 &o- 0-st had to noc hi, do2n9 $he Pro,oter co,es r-shin+ -p o-t o' the o''ice) a (ar+e red 2e(t +ro2in+ on his chee % PR5M5$ER &o- co-(da ta en that +-y apart9 No2 he.s +onna +et a2ay 2ith ,y ,oney9 SPIDER-MAN I ,issed the part 2here this is ,y prob(e,% *e t-rns and 2a( s a2ay do2n the corridor% C8$ $5" E#$% ARENA - NI7*$ As ni+ht 'a((s) Peter co,es o-t o' the arena) dressed in street c(othes a+ain% 5n the 'ar corner) there are '(ashin+ (i+hts and a s,a(( cro2d +athered) b-t he doesn.t notice) 0-st starts (oo in+ aro-nd 'or 8nc(e Ben.s car% Peter stands on the corner 2here Ben said he.d pic there yet% hi, -p% Loo s to the (e't) to the ri+ht% Not

Another P5LICE CAR races by hi,) SIREN 2ai(in+) and heads 'or the 'ar corner% Peter i+nores that too% Chec s his 2atch% Loo s -p the b(oc % Sti(( no 8nc(e Ben% An a,b-(ance SCREAMS past hi,) a(so headed 'or the 'ar corner% Peter t-rns) 2atches it p-(( -p) PARAMEDICS 0-,p o-t% No2 he ta es a ,i(d interest% *e 2anders across the street% As he 2a( s) his bro2 '-rro2s) t2o and t2o co,in+ to+ether in his ,ind in a bad 2ay% *e 2a( s 'aster% Co-(dn.t be% *e 2a( s 'aster% And 'aster% *e e(bo2s his 2ay thro-+h the bac o' the s2e((in+ cro2d% $hen the ,idd(e% As a desperate conviction +ro2s in his ,ind) he thrashes) brea in+ thro-+h the 'ront o' the cro2d and (oo in+ do2n at the +ro-nd-2here the Para,edics are bent over a body) 2or in+% PE$ER 8NCLE BEN99 *e (-n+es 'or2ard) b-t C5PS stop hi,) p-((in+ hi, bac % C5P D *an+ on) han+ on9

PE$ER My 8nc(e9 $hat.s ,y -nc(e9 C5P @ $hat.s not +onna he(p hi,9 C5P D Let the para,edics do their 2or 9 PE$ER =hat happened:9 C5P D It 2as a car0ac er% *e.s been shot in the chest% PE$ER 5h) 7od) no9 !rantic) Peter (oo s at the Para,edics% $hey.re not +ivin+ CPR) no ,o-th to ,o-th) in 'act) they.re pac in+ -p their e;-ip,ent% PE$ER $hey.re not doin+ anythin+9 =hy aren.t yo- doin+ anythin+:9 3b-rsts a2ay 'ro, the cops6 =hat.s the ,atter 2ith yo-:9 Is he o ay: Is he +onna be o ay: =hy are yo- stoppin+:9 $he Para,edics (oo at each other) then at Peter%

PARAMEDIC *e passed a2ay) sir% PE$ER *e%%%%: PARAMEDIC I., sorry) sir% Peter bac s a2ay in horror) -nab(e to be(ieve his eyes% Behind hi,) a $*IRD C5P co,es h-rryin+ -p to the other t2o% C5P ? *ey) it 0-st ca,e over the radio9 Patro( car spotted the vehic(e r-nnin+ a red (i+ht on Ninth Aven-e9 C5P D $hey +ot the +-y:9 C5P ? Not yet9 *e crac ed -p the car at the 2ater'ront- he.s ho(ed -p

inside an abandoned 'actory at the river9 4ery c(ose on Peter no2- he.s (istenin+ intent(y) his 'ace hard as stone% C5P D =hich river: C8$ $5" E#$% A DARK ALLE& - NI7*$ An e1a++erated shado2 'a((s on the bric 2a(( o' an a((ey% A ,an tears o'' his c(othes) vio(ent(y% $he shado2 +ro2s rapid(y bi++er as the ,an starts to r-n) s-dden(y the shado2 (eaps) hi+h into the air) and (ands on the side o' the b-i(din+ ri+ht in 'ront o' -s% $*E AMAEIN7 SPIDER-MAN be+ins to c(i,b) strai+ht -p the side o' the b-i(din+% Peter ,ay have been in the Spider- Man s-it 2hen he c(i,bed into the rin+) b-t no2 he tr-(y is Spider- Man% =e c(i,b 2ith hi,) risin+ hi+her and hi+her -nti( 2e b-rst o-t over the roo'.s ed+e% 5N $*E R55!) *e scans the hori/on% 5'' to the 2est) he sees a c(-ster o' po(ice (i+hts at the ed+e o' the *-dson River% *is ri+ht ar, rises) a(,ost instinctive(y) pa(, -p% $*=IP9 A si(ver strand o' 2eb '(-id shoots o-t across the street% Spider- Man 2raps his hands aro-nd it and (eaps% =e (eap 2ith hi,) s2in+in+ o-t over the city) he(d a(o't by the tensi(e stren+th o' the 2eb a(one% =e p(-,,et do2n) in a +race'-() terri'yin+ arc) and as the +ro-nd races -p to2ard -s) SpiderMan.s (e't hand rises- $*=IP9 Another 2eb strand roc ets o-t into the ni+ht) the 2eb- s(in+er shi'ts his 2ei+ht to the second strand) abandonin+ the 'irst) p-((in+ hi,se(' bac -p in a +race'-( arc that rises to2ard a +(ass'ront b-i(din+ ri+ht in 'ront o' -s% $he +(ass- 'ront b-i(din+ races -p at -s) i,possib(y 'ast) b-t instead o' crashin+ thro-+h it) 2e (and on it) 2e stic % =e pivot) (oo 'or another ta(( b-i(din+% =e spot one) o-r +(oved 2rist rises -p into 'ra,e) shoots o-t a 2eb) and 2e (eap 'ro, the b-i(din+) s2in+in+ o'' into space a+ain% So that.s 2hat it.s (i e to be Spider- Man% D5=N IN $*E S$REE$) a C*ILD) ho(din+ his ,other.s hand) has seen the 2ho(e thin+% *e drops his ice crea, cone) it SPLA$S on the pave,ent at his 'eet% C8$ $5" E#$% ABAND5NED !AC$5R& - NI7*$ At the *-dson River) a rin+ o' po(ice cars s-rro-nd an abandoned 'actory% 8nc(e Ben.s Chevy is crashed into a d-,pster in 'ront) the driver.s door han+in+ open% Radios SH8A=K) C5PS c(-ster

aro-nd the barricades) p(annin+ ho2 to +o in and 2ho has to do it% Behind and above the,) a +(istenin+ dar 8nseen% 5N $*E SIDE 5! $*E !AC$5R&) Spider- Man (ands si(ent(y% *is ,ove,ents are '(a2(ess) +race'-() econo,ica( no2) as i' he has beco,e his per'ected se(' in the (ast 'ive ,in-tes% *e cra2(s) side2ays (i e a crab) b-t ten ti,es as 'ast% *e s(ithers thro-+h a b(o2n- o-t 2indo2 near the roo' (ine% IN$% !AC$5R& - NI7*$ Spider- Man cra2(s) -pside- do2n) across the roo' o' the 'actory% *is eyes scan the abandoned 'actory '(oor be(o2) 2hich 2e see -pside- do2n too) the 2ay he does% 5ver in the 'ar corner) the Car0ac er h-dd(es) a dar r-sted- o-t e;-ip,ent% 'i+-re tryin+ to hide in the ,idd(e o' the 'i+-re s2in+s thro-+h the ni+ht) ri+ht past the,%

Spider- Man creeps c(ose) 'ast and si(ent) -nti( he is direct(y above the Car0ac er) (oo in+ do2n at hi,% D5=N 5N $*E !L55R) $he Car0ac er co2ers) M8$$ERIN7 to hi,se(') obsessive(y chec in+ his 2eapon to ,a e s-re it.s (oaded% Can.t ,a e o-t a 2ord he.s sayin+) b-t he.s terri'ied% Red po(ice (i+hts re'(ect o'' hi,) bo-ncin+ aro-nd the e,pty 'actory as they strobe thro-+h the dirty) (eaded 2indo2s) revea(in+ on(y his o-t(ine% Behind hi,) Spider- Man descends s(o2(y) -pside- do2n) 'ro, a 2eb strand% *e rotates) (ands so't(y on his 'eet) (oo,in+ behind the Car0ac er% $he Car0ac er senses so,ethin+ and 2hir(s aro-nd% BLAS$S a shot at Spider- Man% Sensin+ it) Spidey (eaps onto the nearest 2a((% $he Car0ac er) 2ho, Spider- Man sees on(y as a red si(ho-ette) starts BLAS$IN7 at hi,) one shot a'ter another) as Spidey (eaps 'ro, 2a(( to cei(in+ to 2a(( to '(oor) 0-st inches ahead o' the b-((ets% IN $*E S$REE$) $he Cops hear the shots) press 'or2ard% =eapons are dra2n) ri'(es steadied% $hey can see 'i+-res ,ovin+ inside the 'actory% IN $*E !AC$5R&) Spider- Man does one partic-(ar(y acrobatic (eap and (ands on top o' the Car0ac er.s ar,) ic in+ the +-n 'ree% It SKI$$ERS across the ce,ent '(oor as Spidey ho(ds the +-y -p) c-r(s a 'istSPIDER-MAN $his is 'or the ,an yo- i((ed% -and p-nches the Car0ac er in the 0a2% $he b(o2 (i'ts the ,an ri+ht o'' his 'eet and sends hi, sai(in+ into one o' the -nbro en 2indo2s) 2hich S*A$$ERS% Spider- Man (eaps into the 2indo2 'ra,e) +rabs the Car0ac er) p-((s hi, to his 'eet% IN $*E S$REE$) $he Cops hear the brea in+ +(ass%

C5P D In the 2indo29 C5P @ 7et so,e (i+ht on it9 $hey t-rn their spot(i+hts to2ard the 'actory% IN $*E !AC$5R&) CAR>ACKER Don.t h-rt ,e9 7ive ,e a chance) ,an) +ive ,e a chance9 SPIDER-MAN DID &58 7I4E *IM A C*ANCE9: $*E MAN &58 KILLED:9 DID &58:9 ANS=ER ME9 5ne by one) the spot(i+hts 'ro, o-tside s2in+ aro-nd to 'ra,e the pair o' co,batants in the 2indo2% S-dden(y) the Car0ac er.s 'ace is revea(ed) bri+ht(y (it% A po(ice he(icopter is overhead) the prop 2ash b(o2s the Car0ac er.s hair aro-nd 2i(d(y% *is p(atin-, b(onde hair%%% Spider- Man.s eyes open 2ide in horror as he reco+ni/es the Car0ac er% It is) 7od he(p hi,) the $hie' 2ho sto(e the ,oney at the arena% $he one Peter stepped aside 'or% SPIDER-MAN 3cont.d6 No9 No) not &589 &es% &es hi,% Spider- Man tre,b(es in horror as he rea(i/es the +hast(y tr-th" *e 'ai(ed to stop the very ,an 2ho ,-rdered his -nc(e% I,a+es '(ood bac at hi,) 'ast"

IN$% ARENA 5!!ICES - NI7*$ $he Cop) ye((in+ at hi," C5P Stop that +-y9 IN$% ELE4A$5R - NI7*$ $he $hie') standin+ in the e(evator) (oo in+ at hi, evi((y as the doors c(ose on his escape% E#$% ARENA - NI7*$ 8nc(e Ben.s body) (yin+ in the street% E#$% !AC$5R& - NI7*$ 5-tside the 'actory) the Cops stare in 2onder at the stran+e pair) 'ra,ed by the bri((iant (i+hts no2 shinin+ into the bro en- o-t second '(oor 2indo2s o' the 'actory%

C5P D =hat the he(( is that9: SER7EAN$ 5PEN !IRE9 $he Cops open -p on the 'i+-res in the 2indo2% IN $*E =IND5= More +(ass brea s) 2ood sp(inters) the $hie' SCREAMS as b-((ets '(y every2here% Spider- Man SCREAMS ri+ht bac ) in ra+e and pain-and *8RLS the $hie' o'' the b-i(din+9 $he $hie' S*RIEKS in terror as he p(-,,ets to2ard the +ro-nd) to2ard certain death% Spider- Man tre,b(es) 2atchin+ hi, 'a(() b-t 'ina((ySPIDER-MAN I can.t9 -he shoots o-t a 2eb) 2hich catches the $hie' by the an (e) 0-st above the +ro-nd) savin+ his (i'e% =ith a R5AR o' e''ort) Spider- Man s2in+s the 2eb) hardD5=N 5N $*E 7R58ND) -sendin+ the $hie' '(yin+ across the par in+ (ot and SMAS*IN7 into the 2indshie(d o' a po(ice car% !R5M INSIDE $*E P5LICE CAR) $he $hie' (ands on the 2indshie(d ri+ht in 'ront o' -s% *e 2rithes) in pain) b-t a(ive) a +iant '(y ca-+ht in the spider2ebbed 2indshie(d% 5N $*E S$REE$) $he cops -n(eash a hai( o' +-n'ire as Spider- Man (eaps -p) onto the 'actory 2a(( and cra2(s a(( the 2ay -p the roo') si1 stories above the,% C5P @ Don.t shoot) don.t shoot9 *e.s on o-r side) can.t yo- see it) *E.S 5N 58R SIDE9 B-t the +-n'ire contin-es) 0-st the 'irst sa(vo in Spidey.s (on+ and ,is-nderstood career to co,e% E#$% R55! 5! !AC$5R& - NI7*$ Spider- Man 'a((s to his nees on the roo' o' the 'actory in the 2hippin+ 2ind o' the he(icopter) ar,s thro2n -p in an+-ish as he 'aces the dra,atic s y(ine o' the -n'or+ivin+ city% SPIDER-MAN N5555599 Another i,a+e co,es to hi,) this one bi((o2in+ ri+ht o-t o' the b(ac - botto,ed c(o-ds above hi,) a +i+antic i,a+e o' 8nc(e Ben.s 'ace"

8NCLE BEN A(2ays re,e,ber) Peter% Li+htnin+ '(ashes in the s y) o-t(inin+ 8nc(e Ben.s 'ace) t-rnin+ it into a s e(eton.s head 'or a sp(it- second be'ore 2ipin+ it o-t co,p(ete(y% As Spider- Man disso(ves into SCREAMS o' an+-ish) 8nc(e Ben.s 45ICE resonates over the B55MIN7 th-nder o' the co,in+ s-,,er stor,% 8NCLE BEN 3cont.d6 =ith +reat po2er%%% SPIDER-MAN 5* 75D) PLEASE N5) I.M S5RR&) 8NCLE BEN) !5R7I4E ME%%%999 8NCLE BEN %%%%+reat responsibi(ity% Li+htnin+ '(ashes) 78N!IRE echoes in the distance) so-ndin+ (i e the d-(( cannon B55MS o' a 'ara2ay '-nera(% C8$ $5" IN$% DAIL& B87LE - DA& $he 'ront pa+e o' a tab(oid ne2spaper) the Dai(y B-+(e) carries three bo(d 2ords in enor,o-s type'ace" =*5 IS SPIDER-MAN:9 $he paper (o2ers 2ith a noisy cr-,p(e) revea(in+ the 'ace o' >% >5NA* >AMES5N) o2ner o' the (ast '(attop hairc-t in A,erica% >a,eson ta( s even 'aster than he 2a( s" both are ,achine- +-n paced% >AMES5N &eah) 2ho the he(( is he) and 2hat.s he doin+ on the 'ront pa+e o' ,y ne2spaper: *e str-ts o'' across the chaotic ne2sroo,) side by side 2ith R5BBIE R5BER$S5N) his city editor% >AMES5N 3cont.d6 And 2hy don.t 2e have a pict-re:9 Da,n it) Robbie) I +o to Pa(, Beach 'or t2o days andR5BBIE =e so(d o-t a(( 'o-r printin+s) >onah% >AMES5N So(d o-t: R5BBIE Every copy% >AMES5N Spider- Man) pa+e one) to,orro29 =ith a pict-re this ti,e9

R5BBIE 3s,i(es6 &o-.re the boss% E#$% CI$& S$REE$ - NI7*$ Sno2 '(ies) it.s 2interti,e no2% A b-nch o' $*87S have s-rro-nded M%>%) 2ho has 0-st co,e -p 'ro, a s-b2ay stop in a not- +reat part o' to2n% $he $h-+s are ta-ntin+ her) harassin+ her) p-ttin+ their hands on her% M%>%.s (oo in+ aro-nd 'or he(p) b-t it.s (ate) co(d and e,pty streets aro-nd here% 5ne o' the $h-+s +rabs her by the 0ac et) p-((s her 'or2ard) and raises his other hand) CLICKIN7 open a s2itchb(ade% S-dden(y the $h-+ sti''ens) hit in the bac by a 2eb (ine% $he second $h-+ does (i e2ise) then they both '(y bac 2ards o'' their 'eet) yan ed hard by Spider- Man) 2ho c(in+s to the b-i(din+ across the street% SPIDER-MAN =e do not hit 2o,en9 $he $h-+s R5AR in an+er and (-n+e across the street to2ard hi,% SPIDER-MAN 3cont.d6 =e hit the ,en 2ho hit 2o,en% *e drops o'' the 2a(( and into the thic o' the,% =e don.t see ,-ch) 0-st '(yin+ 'ists) ,otion b(-rs) and $h-+ a'ter $h-+ '(yin+ o'' his 'eet% M%>% 2atches) trans'i1ed% No2) that.s a hero% $he $h-+s a(( scatter) Spider- Man stands there) chest heavin+% M%>% =ho are yo-: SPIDER-MAN &o- no2% M%>% I do: SPIDER-MAN &o-r 'riend(y nei+hborhood Spider- Man% *e (eaps -p) onto the side o' the nearest b-i(din+ and starts c(i,bin+) strai+ht -p% She 2atches hi, +o) astonished% And tota((y (ovestr-c % IN $*E S$REE$) A $58RIS$ races into the street) 2hips o-t a ca,era) hasti(y 'oc-ses a (on+ (ens) and snaps A 7RAIN& S$ILL P*5$57RAP* 5' Spider- Man on the side o' the b-i(din+%

IN $*E NE=SR55M) >onah >a,eson stares at the pict-re) '-rio-s% As -s-a(% >AMES5N I said a pict-re) not an in Leapin+ bac b(ot9

across the ne2sroo,) 2e hear hi, be((o2% >AMES5N 3cont.d6 CAN.$ AN&B5D& $AKE A DECEN$ PIC$8RE 5! $*A$ !REAK:9

E#$% PARKER *58SE - NI7*$ CL5SE 5N a si+n in the 2indo2 o' the Par er ho,e- "R55M !5R REN$%" Peter co,es o-t o' the ho-se he shares 2ith A-nt May) carryin+ a bo1 o' his possessions) and (oads it into the bac o' *arry 5sborn.s car% *arry 2aits beside it% A8N$ MA& &o- don.t have to +ive -p yo-r roo,) Peter% PE$ER &o- need the e1tra ,oney) yo- no2 yo- do% And I.(( send ,ore) as ,-ch as I can) as soon as I +et a 0ob% A8N$ MA& Co((e+e) a 0ob) yo-r o2n p(ace%%% &o-.re not S-per,an) yo- no2% Peter (a-+hs) +rabs her in a 'erocio-s h-+% E#$% CI$& S$REE$ - NI7*$ In a ro-+h part o' to2n) a C5P beats a $EENA7ER 2ith his ni+ht stic 2hi(e his PAR$NER stands a2 2ard(y a 'e2 'eet a2ay) not 0oinin+ in) b-t not stoppin+ hi, either% $he Cop raises his ni+htstic 'or a vicio-s b(o2) b-t s-dden(y $*=IP-$*=IP9 $2o 2eb strands 2rap aro-nd the ni+htstic and yan it o-t o' his hand% $he Cop 2hir(s aro-nd% Spider- Man c(in+s to the side o' a b-i(din+ behind hi,) -pside do2n% C5P *ey9 =hat the he(( do$*=IP9 A strand o' 2ebbin+ shoots o-t) SPLA$S over the Cop.s ,o-th% In the ,o,ent o' distraction) the $eena+er +ets to his 'eet and races a2ay% SPIDER-MAN Leave hi, a(one% $he Cop '-,b(es 'or his +-n) Spider- Man t-rns) cra2(s -p the b-i(din+%

$he Cop !IRES) t2o shots that C*INK o'' the bric s2in+in+ o'' into the dar ness% $*E DAIL& B87LE

2here Spider- Man 2as) b-t he.s a(ready

Sho2s a 'ront pa+e pict-re o' the an+ry Cop) ne1t to the head(ine" "SPIDER-MAN *ELPS CR55K ESCAPE9" IN $*E NE=SR55M) >onah >a,eson (o2ers the paper) sees Robbie +(arin+ at hi,% R5BBIE &o- no2 that isn.t tr-e% >AMES5N $hat.s 2hy 2e p-t ;-otes aro-nd it9 5ther S$A!!ERS +(o2er at hi,% $hey don.t (i e it either% >AMES5N 3cont.d6 I' yo- a(( (ove hi, so ,-ch) 7E$ ME A PIC$8RE9 IN$% S584ENIR S*5P - DA& A S$5RE 5=NER stares at a cr-de Spider- Man do(( o''ered to hi, by a yo-n+ EN$REPRENE8R in a cheap s-it carryin+ an open case 2ith (ots o' ,oney% S$5RE 5=NER *e.s a cri,ina(9 *e tosses the action 'i+-re bac IN$% PE$ER.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& *o(din+ a bo1 2ith his ,ea+er possessions) Peter stands in the door2ay o' his ne2 apart,ent% 5ne tiny roo,) crac ed 2a((s) dirty 2indo2) SIREN =AILIN7 ri+ht be(o2% *arry stands ne1t to hi,) he(pin+ hi, ,ove in% *ARR& =hat a d-,p% PE$ER E1pensive d-,p% *ARR& *o2 yo- +onna pay 'or it: IN$% PE$ER.S APAR$MEN$ - NI7*$ Peter is h-nched over a tab(e in his apart,ent) de(icate(y asse,b(in+ a co,p(icated- (oo in+ ca,era apparat-s% E#$% R55!$5P - NI7*$ at the Entreprene-r%

$*=IP9 8p on a roo'top) a 2eb strand shoots into the corner o' a b-i(din+ cornice) ho(din+ the ca,era in p(ace% A red and b(-e 2ebbed +(ove reaches into the 'ra,e and se(ects a sh-tter settin+% $*R587* $*E 4IE=!INDER) =e see a ca,era.s eye vie2 o' the roo'top) (oo in+ s(i+ht(y do2n over the city% $he 2ord "a-to,atic" '(ashes in red in the corner o' the 'ra,e% S-dden(y Spider- Man co,es s2in+in+ into 'ra,e) ri+ht to2ard the ca,era) dan+(in+ dra,atica((y 'ro, a 2eb strand% $he sh-tter CLICKS) the i,a+e 'ree/es) chan+es toIN$% DAIL& B87LE - >AMES5N.S 5!!ICE - DA& -the res-(tant photo+raph) an action shot o' Spider- Man% CL5SE 5N the photo as a hand '(ips past it) to another) and another- a(( +ood shots) s2in+in+ shots) '(yin+ shots) 2eb- shootin+ shots% >onah >a,eson (oo s -p) tryin+ to hide his enth-sias,% Peter stands across his des % PE$ER &o-r ad ,entioned a re2ard: >AMES5N =here.d yo- +et these: PE$ER I' I te(( yo- that) yo-.(( send yo-r o2n photo+rapher ne1t ti,e% I 2ant a 0ob% >AMES5N No 0obs9 !ree (ance) Per y) best thin+ in the 2or(d 'or a ,an yo-r a+e) don.t +et tied do2n9 I.(( +ive yo- a h-ndred b-c s 'or the (ot% *e t-rns and (eaves his o''ice% Peter 'o((o2s% IN$% NE=SR55M - DA& >a,eson 2a( s 'ast< Peter str-++(es to eep -p% PE$ER A h-ndred:9 >AMES5N Dea(9 3ho(ds o-t his hand6 PE$ER No9 !ive h-ndred9 >AMES5N $2o9

PE$ER !o-r9 >AMES5N &o- 2in% *o'',an% *5!!MAN9 *5!!MAN) a tired +-y) (oo s -p 'ro, his c-bic(e% >AMES5N 3cont.d6 C-t a chec to Peter Por er 'or three h-ndred do((ars) (ess ta1esPE$ER 3to *o'',an6 It.s Par er) P-A-R>AMES5N -socia( sec-rity) and vo(-ntary contrib-tion to that charity ,y 2i'e (i es% PE$ER Sir) i' yo- co-(d 0-st p-t ,e on the payro(() see) I rea((y need the ins-rance I.d +et 2ith a '-((- ti,e 0ob) ,y a-nt has this condition she>AMES5N Ins-rance:9 =hat are yo-) a photo+rapher or a c(ai,s ad0-ster:9 =hat happened to hard drin in+ and A-stra(ian b-sh hats and (yin+ to 'orei+n 2o,en: Stic aro-nd) Kid) I.(( ,a e a 0o-rna(ist o-t o' yo-) he(() *5!!MAN9) re,ind ,e to send hi, so,e Christ,as ,eat) N5= 7E$ ME M5RE PIC$8RES9 $*E DAIL& B87LE Disp(ays one o' Peter.s dra,atic shots o' Spider- Man) over the head(ine" SPIDER-MAN" *ER5 5R MENACE:9 e1c(-sive photos9 E#$% S584ENIR S*5P - DA& $he sa,e Store 52ner stands in 'ront o' his store as a de(ivery tr-c bac s -p) b(-e- s-ited DELI4ER&MEN (eap o-t o' the bac and start -n(oadin+ cases o' Spider- Man ,erchandise% $he yo-n+ Entreprene-r stands ne1t to the 52ner) in a very e1pensive s-it) ta( in+ 'rantica((y into a ,obi(e phone 2hi(e the Store 52ner tries to +et his attention% S$5RE 5=NER I 5RDERED $=ICE $*IS M8C* S$8!!9

E#$% CI$& S$REE$ - NI7*$ $hree po(ice cars SCREEC* aro-nd a corner and SH8EAL to a stop o-tside a 0e2e(ry store in the dia,ond district% AN ALARM BELL rin+s) the 'ront 2indo2 o' the store is s,ashed-and $*REE $*IE4ES are s-spended above the door2ay) trapped) s;-ir,in+ in a 2eb- net that dan+(es 'ro, a (a,ppost% $he !IRS$ C5PS (eap o-t and stand -nderneath) starin+ -p in a,a/e,ent% $he i,a+e t-rns into a photo+raph) the photo+raph t-rns into the 'ront pa+e o') 2hat e(se$*E DAIL& B87LE) Ne1t to the head(ine" =*5 R8NS $*IS $5=N:9: Cops Po2er(ess A+ainst Spider- Man IN $*E NE=SR55M) Robbie (oo s at >onah% R5BBIE *o2 co,e yo- hate hi, so ,-ch: >AMES5N Beca-se he.s a vi+i(ante9 $hin s he.s above the (a29 =hat i' he t-rns a+ainst -s so,eday:9 It.s 0-st a ,atter o' ti,e9 Loo at hi,9 Loo at those eyes9 $hey (oo -p at a pict-re o' Spider- Man) a +rainy b(o2 -p o' his 'ace) his 2ic ed 2hite 0ac o.(antern eyes starin+ strai+ht o-t at -s% >AMES5N 35%S%6 3cont.d6 Is there a ,an a(ive 2ho co-(d +ive that (-natic a 'i+ht: Dra2in+ very c(ose to the pict-re no2) Spider- Man.s eyes disso(ve intoDISS5L4E $5" IN$% $5=N CAR - DA& -t2o icy b(-e eyes) dartin+ rapid(y bac and 'orth% Nor,an 5sborn is in the bac o' his $o2n Car) cons-,in+ the =a(( Street >o-rna( as the car cra2(s thro-+h b-sy ,idto2n tra''ic% Rain P58NDS on the tinted 2indo2s) it.s one he(( o' a day o-t there% $he eyes t-rn) 'i1 co(d(y on 2hoever.s in the seat ne1t to Nor,an% It.s his son) *arry) -nco,'ortab(y dressed in a s-it and tie% *arry is dr-,,in+ his 'in+ers nervo-s(y on his nee% Nor,an.s 0a2 'i1es in a ti+ht (ine% *e 'o(ds his paper and stares at *arry% 5SB5RN Are yo- +oin+ to disappoint ,e:

*arry t-rns) dares to raise his eyes to his 'ather.s% *is ,o-th ,oves) he.s +oin+ to try to ans2er) b-t he.s a'raid% S-dden(y) both rear doors '(y open) p-((ed s,art(y by SEC8RI$& MEN in s-its) and Nor,an bo(ts sharp(y o-t o' the car% *arry 'o((o2s) dreadin+ 2hatever is to co,e% 4ER& *I7* AB54E $*EM) =e are (oo in+ do2n 'ro, hi+h atop a co(d b(ac ,ono(ithic s yscraper that stands in the ,idd(e o' Manhattan% $a(() searin+ red (etters atop the b-i(din+ anno-nce its resident- 5SC5RP% !ar) 'ar do2n in the street) 2e see *arry and Nor,an 2a( 'ro, the car) par ed at the c-rb) to the 'ront o' the b-i(din+) i,,ediate(y covered by a sea o' -,bre((as carried by MINI5NS 2ho race o-t to ,eet the,% D5=N 5N $*E SIDE=ALK) Nor,an t-rns and BARKS at *arry over his sho-(der as they head 'or the b-i(din+% 5SB5RN =a( beside ,e) not behind% *arry steps -p his pace to 'a(( in beside his 'ather% $hey reach an e(evator) one o' the t2o +(ass ones that c(in+ to the side o' the b-i(din+% $he t2in e(evators are +-arded by t2o ,ore SEC8RI$& 78&S) 2ires in their ears and s-n+(asses in the rain% 5ne set o' doors =*55S*ES open as *arry and Nor,an approach< they step inside% IN $*E ELE4A$5R) $he doors c(ose% *arry t-rns to his 'ather% *ARR& P(ease don.t ,a e ,e do this% 5SB5RN &o- 2anted to (earn% &o-.(( (earn% *ARR& I., be++in+ yo-% I,patient) 5sborn reaches past hi, and p-shes one o' on(y t2o si(ver b-ttons on the pane( ne1t to the door% 5SB5RN Don.t% I 0-st ate% Inside the e(evator) a ,otor starts to *8M and5N $*E SIDE=ALK) -the e(evator ,oves% B-t instead o' +oin+ -p (i e 2e tho-+ht it 2o-(d) the e(evator /ips do2n2ard) into and thro-+h the side2a( % =e see Nor,an and *arry.s 'aces thro-+h the +(ass as they descend into the bo2e(s o' the b-i(din+% IN $*E ELE4A$5R)

Lar+e red and 2hite hori/onta( stripes 2hip past as the e(evator drops 'ar into the +ro-nd beneath the streets o' Manhattan% 5SB5RN I abhor 2ea ness% I don.t per,it it in ,yse('< I 2on.t to(erate it in yo-% R-nnin+ a co,pany is a (ot ,ore than handin+ o-t paychec s% S-dden(y) the e(evator stops and the doors EIP open onIN$% LAB - DA& -a ,assive -nder+ro-nd (aboratory% Ro2 a'ter ro2 o' test t-bes) bea ers) pi(es o' ,icrocirc-itry) ha('- asse,b(ed devices) scribb(ed 'or,-(as) sche,atics) 2arnin+ si+ns% $he sheer vo(-,e o' tho-+ht that +oes on here is h-,b(in+% A LAB =5RKER notices 5sborn% *e t-rns and h-rries across the '(oor in the opposite direction) -r+ent(y% *e passes a thin+ that (oo s (i e an aerodyna,ica((y per'ected boo+ie board) 2ith -pt-rned 'ins on each side) 'ootho(ds carved into the top o' each 2in+) and a sin+(e ro2 o' s2itches do2n the ,idd(e o' the center t-be) 2hich is a prop-(sion syste, o' so,e ind% =hi(e the device hovers over a bench) a $EC*NICIAN 2ears a (i+ht2ei+ht) s-per ti+ht- 'ittin+ he(,et) eyes protected behind bi+ ye((o2ish- +reen p(astic b-(+es that ,a e it (oo (i e an evi( insect.s head% As the $echnician t-rns his head) the device responds) pointin+ -p 2hen he raises his head -p) ban in+ to the side 2ith a t-rn o' the head) etc% =e stay 2ith the Lab =or er) 'o((o2 hi, across the (ab% *e approaches a raised p(at'or,) 2here a ,an in a (on+ 2hite (ab coat 2or s in 'ront o' a (ar+e +(assed- in roo,% *is ar,s are p(-++ed into a device o' so,e ind) and on the other side o' the 2a(() 'o-r (on+) te(escopin+ ,eta( tentac(es e,er+e) 2or in+ de(icate(y 2ith a ,a/e o' inter(oc in+ che,ica( t-bes and ,icronic circ-itry sea(ed in a +(ass- 2a((ed iso(ation tan % Stran+e +ases (ea 'ro, the t-bes) ,-st be the reason they.re behind +(ass% $he Lab =or er h-rries -p beside hi, and 2hispers in his ear% LAB =5RKER Dr% 5catvi-s%%%% 5C$A4I8S 4anish% LAB =5RKER It.s Mr% 5sborn) sir) he.s here% In the (ab) sir% $he ,an t-rns and 2e see the 'ace o' DR% 5$$5 5C$A4I8S) intense) driven) 'erocio-s concentration -nder hooded bro2s% >et b(ac hair) opa(- 2hite s in that (oo s as i' it.s never seen the (i+ht o' day% *e sees Nor,an 5sborn over the =or er.s sho-(der) a(ready co,in+ -p the stairs to the p(at'or,% *arry trai(in+ behind hi,% 5ctavi-s si+hs and t-rns bac to his 2or %

5SB5RN 7ood ,ornin+) Doctor%%%

*e casts a +(ance inside the iso(ation tan ) 2here the robotic ar,s 2ave) in constant e(e+ant ,otion% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 Sha(( I ca(( yo- Dr% 5ctop-s: 5C$A4I8S I don.t have ti,e 'or ins-(ts% =hat do yo- 2ant: 5SB5RN An -pdate% =hat are yo- 2or in+ on ri+ht no2: Annoyed) 5ctavi-s to-ches a 'oot peda( at the base o' the robotic ar, device he.s 2earin+% A ,eta( corset that +rips his torso a-to,atica((y opens) re(easin+ hi, 'ro, its +rasp% *e po-rs hi,se(' a co''ee 'ro, a nearby pot% 5C$A4I8S *-,an Per'or,ance Enhancers% 5SB5RN *o2.s it +oin+: 5C$A4I8S Near(y there% =e tried vapor inha(ation 2ith rodent s-b0ects) they sho2ed an GAA percent increase in stren+th% Inte((ect-a( capacity increased beyond ,eas-rab(e (i,its o' testin+) and ,a/e- so(vin+ abi(ity beca,e near(y instantaneo-s% 5SB5RN E1ce((ent% Side- e''ects: 5C$A4I8S 3shr-+s6 Propensity to2ard vio(ence) centra( nervo-s syste, brea do2n) do,ination obsession) deco,pensation) insanity) death% 5SB5RN So they beco,e stron+er and s,arter% B-t it i((s the,% Not e1act(y ,ar etab(e yet% $he other pro0ects: 5C$A4I8S A(( +ood) individ-a( airborne transports are a(( tested) they (oo 'ine) ha((-cination orbs are +ood to +o% Man-'act-re can start in a ,onth) 2e can de(iver to the +overn,ent by the end o' the year% &o-.re +oin+ to ,a e another 'ort-ne) Nor,an%

5SB5RN $hat.s 2hat I.d hoped to hear% 5C$A4I8S I' that.s a((%%% *e 'inishes his co''ee and steps bac into the robotic ar, device) hits the 'ootpeda(% $he ,eta( corset ho(ds hi, in its +rip a+ain and he +oes bac to 2or % 5sborn t-rns) (oo s at *arry) 2ho is (-r in+ nearby% 5sborn raises an eyebro2% *arry ta es a step 'or2ard) nervo-s(y% *ARR& Dr% 5ctavi-s%%% 5ctavi-s t-rns) 2hat do yo- 2ant: Nor,an raises an eyebro2% =e((: *arry s2a((o2s-then t-rns and 2a( s ;-ic (y o-t o' the (ab% =hatever it 2as) he can.t do it% Nor,an.s 'ace re+isters his disapprova(% *e t-rns bac a ;-estion ,ar % 5SB5RN *o2 (on+ have yo- been 2ith the co,pany) 5tto: 5C$A4I8S !ive years% =hy: 5SB5RN C(ose% !o-r years) three h-ndred and si1ty- 'o-r days% $o,orro2 2i(( be 'ive years% $o,orro2 yo-r stoc options 2i(( vest and yo- 2i(( beco,e a dist-rbin+(y 2ea(thy ,an% $hat 2o-(d be to,orro2% $odayyo-.re 'ired% An AIDE 2ho s-dden(y ,ateria(i/ed behind 5sborn spea s into his shirt s(eeve and5C$A4I8S =hat:9 -doors on the sides o' the (ab open s-dden(y% SEC8RI$& 78ARDS s2eep into the roo, and be+in separatin+ Researchers 'ro, their 2or ) escortin+ the, s2i't(y o-t o' the roo,% 5SB5RN A(( pro0ects) notes) 2or s- inpro+ress) and) oh yes) -nvested stoc options 2i(( re,ain the e1c(-sive property o' 5sCorp Ind-stries% $2o +-ards appear on either side o' 5ctavi-s to ta e hi, o-t o' the b-i(din+% 5C$A4I8S to 5ctavi-s) 2ho is starin+ at hi,) his 'ace

Nor,an) p(ease) I don.t care abo-t the ,oney) this 2or is ,y (i'e9 5SB5RN And this co,pany is ,ine% I ,ade a rash pro,ise to yo-< I.d be -n2ise to eep it% I have shareho(ders to ans2er to% $han yo- 'or yo-r service% !ee( 'ree to (ist ,e as a re'erence% *e nods to the 7-ards) 2ho step 'or2ard) +rab ho(d o' 5ctavi-s to escort hi, 'ro, the b-i(din+% 5ctavi-s S*58$S and thrashes) the ,eta( corset ho(din+ hi, ti+ht% Inside the iso(ation cha,ber) the te(escopin+ ,eta( ar,s '(ai() vio(ent(y SMAS*IN7 a+ainst the 2a((s% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 Step o-t o' that ,achine) 5tto% 5C$A4I8S 7et a2ay 'ro, ,e9 5SB5RN I said 7E$ 58$9 N5=9 $he 7-ards contin-e to 2rest(e 2ith 5ctavi-s) and no2 5sborn steps 'or2ard) searchin+ 'or the s2itch that 2i(( open the ,eta( corset and re(ease 5ctavi-s% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 *o2 do yo- open this da,n thin+:9 *e +oes to the contro( pane() BAN7S on a s2itch that he thin s is the one 5ctavi-s p-shed ear(ier% 5C$A4I8S Nor,an) stop it9 !r-strated) 5sborn BAN7S on s2itches indiscri,inate(y% 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 =hat are yo- doin+:9 5ctavi-s is desperate to stop hi,% Inside the tan ) one o' the robotic ar,s hits a b-tton on the 2a(() the door *ISSES open) and the ar, reaches thro-+h the open 2indo2 and +rabs 5sborn by the throat% 5sborn CRIES 58$ as the ar, dra+s hi, into the tan % 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 =ho do yo- thin yo- are:9 $he Sec-rity 7-ards (-n+e to2ard the door2ay to the tan ) b-t the t2o other ar,s 2hip aro-nd and b(oc their 2ay) SNAPPIN7 and CLICKIN7 at the, (i e (obster c(a2s% Sti(( ho(din+ 5sborn 2ith one c(a2) 5ctavi-s SMACKS hi, in the chest 2ith another) sendin+

Nor,an '(yin+ across the tan % 5sborn crashes into a contro( pane( a+ainst the 'ar 2a(() ro2s and ro2s o' s2itches and (evers that are noc ed a(( o-t o' 2hac % A (o2 *8M per,eates the (ab% $he ,onitors o' an ad0acent ban o' co,p-ters '(ashin+ 'or,-(as and data% 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 *5= DARE &58 $5& =I$* M& =5RK99 5n a 2or bench) heat spins aro-nd the ed+es o' a b(-e coi( and be+ins to 2ar, a +ravy- bro2n (i;-id% A(( aro-nd the (ab) (i;-ids and vapors a2a en) creep thro-+h a nest o' t-bes% 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 =I$* M& LI!E99 5sborn str-++(es to his 'eet% $he robotic ar,s c(ose in aro-nd hi, a+ain% 5ctavi-s pic s hi, ri+ht -p o'' the '(oor 2ith the ar,s) ho(ds hi, dan+(in+ in the air% 5sborn ic s and str-++(es 'erocio-s(y% Mean2hi(e) a(( aro-nd hi,) the (i;-ids and +ases start to ,ove 'aster% $o B8BBLE% $o *ISS% $-bes s2ir( 2ith stran+e +ases% S,o e and vapor are (ea in+ o-t o' the connections) the entire syste, is 7R5ANIN7) so,ethin+ is terrib(y 2ron+% A shri(( ALARM be+ins to so-nd% Anyone 2ho 2as (e't in the (ab) inc(-din+ the Sec-rity 7-ards) t-rns and races 'or the doors) desperate to +et the he(( o-t o' there% Both 5ctavi-s and 5sborn stop s-dden(y% 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 7ood 7od% A(( over the (ab) +(ass t-bes CRACK (i e ice in the sprin+ti,e% =ith a +reat stran+e S8CKIN7 S58ND) the entire 2or s i,p(odes) t-bes and +ases and (i;-ids and vapors a(( co((apsin+ in2ard on each other% $here is a ,o,ent o' horrib(e si(ence in 2hich 5ctavi-s. voice is the on(y so-nd in the (ab" 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 =hat have 2e done: KA-B55M9 No2 it e1p(odes) and everythin+ '(ies every2here% 5sborn) 'reed o' the ar,s) is h-r(ed to the 2a(( and s(-,ps to the '(oor) -nconscio-s% $he entire +(ass 2a(( 5ctavi-s is standin+ behind is b(o2n ten 'eet across the roo,) and 5ctavi-s disappears -nder it% In 32hat 2as6 the iso(ation tan ) a thic ) 'at +reen c(o-d ro((s o-t and oo/es do2n to2ard the '(oor% $he vapor has a bi/arre property) as it ,oves past a ro2 o' stora+e cabinets) it revea(s 2hat.s inside the,) as an 1-ray 2o-(d) and 2hen it ,oves beyond the cabinets) the doors are opa;-e a+ain% $he vapor oo/es over the -nconscio-s 'or, o' Nor,an 5sborn) spra2(ed o-t on the '(oor% It enve(opes hi, bit by bit) and as it does 2e see his s e(eta( 'or,) the very bones -nder his '(esh% =e see the top o' his crani-,) his eye soc ets) his ,o-th and teeth) the s in beco,in+ ,o,entari(y transparent%

*e.s sti(( breathin+) 2e can te(( beca-se (itt(e c-rrents o' the 'antastic +reen +as are bein+ s-c ed -p into his nose) rhyth,ica((y% =e can act-a((y see the +as as it enters his no2- visib(e syste,) s-c in+ do2n) thro-+h his 2indpipe) bi((o2in+ ,o,entari(y in his (-n+s) then +-shin+ o-t thro-+h the ci(ia as it is distrib-ted into his b(oodstrea,% Ea+er) o1y+en 'ed tendri(s o' the st-'' s2ir( -p inside his brain% In their ca+es inside the r-ined iso(ation roo,) che,ica((y enhanced rats SCREEC* and SCREAM) 2rithin+ in the thic +as% ACR5SS $*E LAB) =e see the (on+) te(escopin+ ,eta((ic ar,s) trapped -nder the r-bb(e% $hey.re inert) (i'e(ess) -nti(-they t2itch% $hey tre,b(e% $hey s2eep across the '(oor (i e ,ad sna es% =e 'o((o2 the, a(( the 2ay -p to their so-rce) to that ,eta((ic strai+ht0ac et-2hich is sti(( 2rapped aro-nd the charred 'i+-re o' Dr% 5tto 5ctavi-s% *e opens his eyes% *e 7R5ANS) tries to ,ove) b-t he.s trapped -nder the heavy r-bb(e% S-dden(y) the robotic ar,s) a(( 'o-r o' the,) rise -p into his 'ie(d o' vie2% =hi(e he 2atches in shoc ) the ar,s) ,ovin+ in coordination) be+in to (i't the r-bb(e o'' hi,) 'reein+ hi,% *e SCREAMS) and as he does) a(( 'o-r robotic ar,s s2ir( abo-t his head) e1pressin+ his horror) doin+ his ,ind.s biddin+) even 2itho-t his conscio-s e''ort% A cr-e( ta-nt no (on+er) 5tto 5ctavi-s has beco,e) tr-(y-D5C$5R 5C$5P8S9 ACR5SS $*E LAB) $he +reen +as hoverin+ over Nor,an 5sborn.s ,otion(ess body 'ina((y dissipates) (eavin+ 5sborn on the '(oor) his body no (on+er transparent% S-dden(y) his eyes pop open% =ide open% *is b(-e eyes 3re,e,ber) 2e sa2 the, in c(ose- -p at the be+innin+ o' this se;-ence6 have chan+ed co(or) 'ro, their icy a/-re to a sic (y) '(-orescent) de,onic%%% %%%+reen9 C8$ $5" E#$% S$REE$ - DA& Peter 2a( s do2n a +r-n+y street in Manhattan% It.s sti(( rainin+) he ho(ds a ne2spaper over his head% *e stops ri+ht in 'ront o' -s) at the door to a decrepit apart,ent b-i(din+ yo- 2o-(dn.t 2ish on yo-r ene,y% As he.s p-ttin+ his ey in the door) he stops) s;-ints do2n the side2a( ) reco+ni/es so,ebody% Mary >ane =atson is 2a( in+ strai+ht to2ard hi,% PE$ER *ey9 M%>% 3doesn.t (oo -p6

B-// o''% She 2a( s ri+ht past hi, and contin-es on do2n the side2a( % PE$ER No) 2ait9 *e t-rns and 'o((o2s) catches -p to her% PE$ER 3cont.d6 M%>%) it.s ,e% She stops) t-rns and (oo s at hi,% PE$ER 3cont.d6 Peter% 3nothin+6 !ro, hi+h schoo(% 3sti(( nothin+6 Mary >ane) I (ived ne1t door to yo-% !or 'o-rteen years% !ina((y) she reco+ni/es hi,% 8nco,'ortab(e) she p-((s her raincoat aro-nd herse(' ,ore ti+ht(y% M%>% 5h) hey) ri+ht) ho2 are yo-: PE$ER 7ood) +ood) o ay) I.,%%% I., a(ri+ht% =hat are yo- doin+ here: M%>% I (ive aro-nd the corner% PE$ER =o2) I., ri+ht here9 3points to the b-i(din+6 I., ,ovin+) tho-+h% $his is hi(ario-s) 2e can.t +et a2ay 'ro, each other) h-h: M%>% &eah% *ey) I +otta ta e a sho2er and +et over to an a-dition) so) -h%%% PE$ER An a-dition) that.s +reat) so yo-.re an actress no2) yo-.re a rea( actress9 M%>% &eah) I., 2or in+ steady% It.s +reat) yo- no2) I.ve never been happier% It.s (i e so,e ind o' drea,%

PE$ER 7ood 'or yo-% I., +oin+ to co((e+e) E,pire State% I co-(d have stayed at ho,e) b-t a'ter%%% =e(() a b-ncha st-'' happened and ,oney +ot pretty ti+ht 'or ,y a-nt) so I (et her s-b(et ,y o(d roo, and I +ot a 0ob here% Re,e,berin+ his story ,ore '-((y no2) she 'ee(s bad(y 'or hi,% She ,a es eye contact% M%>% Peter) I., so sorry% I heard abo-t yo-r -nc(e) 2hen that happened% I., sorry) ,an% *e 0-st nods) (oo s a2ay% $here is an a2 2ard pa-se% PE$ER &o- 2anna) -,%%% +rab a co''ee or so,ethin+: =ith ,e: I ,ean: Considerin+ ho2 hard his heart is beatin+) that ca,e o-t as s,ooth(y as co-(d be e1pected% As she is abo-t to ans2er) a tr-c R5ARS by) so 2e don.t hear her response to 2hat he said% B-t does it ,atter: By the ti,e the tr-c passes and the noise s-bsides) M%>% has t-rned) 2aved) and is 2a( in+ a2ay% =e can +-ess% Peter 2atches her +o) heartbro en% Stands there in the rain) ne2sprint r-nnin+ do2n his ar, 'ro, the rain- s(ic ed paper he sti(( ho(ds over his head% IN$% M%>%.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& A door opens on a tiny) crappy) -n'-rnished apart,ent% M%>% co,es in% *ard(y the p(ace yo-.d pic i' yo- 2ere (ivin+ a drea,% She ta es o'' the overcoat she 2as c(in+in+ to so ti+ht(y 2hi(e she spo e 2ith Peter% 8nderneath) she.s 2earin+ a hideo-s oran+e 2aitress -ni'or,% She ta es the na,e ta+ o'') h-r(s it onto a dresser% She +oes to the itchenette sin ) a(( o' 'o-r steps 'ro, the door% She pic s -p a 2ater +(ass and t-rns on the tap% No 2ater co,es o-t) 0-st a hideo-s (o-d CL8NKIN7 and 7RINDIN7 so-nd% She C8RSES and SLAMS the +(ass bac do2n% At (east it doesn.t brea % She (oo s -p) catches si+ht o' herse(' in a dirty ,irror over the sin % M%>% So,e drea,% C8$ $5" IN$% PE$ER.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& A door opens on Peter.s tiny) crappy) -n'-rnished apart,ent% Peter '(ic s a s2itch% Bare b-(b% Air ,attress 'or a bed% Strin+ crisscrossin+ the roo,) b(ac and 2hite ei+ht by tens dryin+ 'ro, it%

!ro, behind hi,) a 45ICE spea s -p% *ARR& 35%S%6 &o-r st-''.s not even pac ed: Peter t-rns% *arry 5sborn stands in the door2ay) sti(( in the s-it and tie he 2ore ear(ier% PE$ER I don.t have st-'') *arry) this.(( ta e ,e abo-t three ,in-tes% *arry co,es in and '(ops on the "bed%" Peter starts p-ttin+ thin+s in a ,ovin+ bo1% *ARR& Sorry I., (ate) ,y 'ather 2as in'(ictin+ per,anent psychic da,a+e on ,e% $hat ta es ti,e) even 'or hi,% And he.s +ood% 3noticin+ Peter6 =hat.s the ,atter 2ith yo-: &osho-(d see yo-r 'ace) yo- (oo (i e a po-nd p-ppy% PE$ER 3shr-+s6 Ran into a 'riend% *ARR& =o2) yeah) that.s horrib(e% D-de) (i+hten -p: $his is the day yoiss this d-,p +oodbye% PE$ER &o- s-re yo-.ve +ot roo, 'or ,e: IN$% *ARR&.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& $he door opens on a st-nnin+ 8pper East Side corner apart,ent 2ith a spectac-(ar vie2% Peter stops in the door2ay) th-nderstr-c % *arry p-((s the ey 'ro, the door% I thin *ARR& I can s;-ee/e yo- in% PE$ER 5h) ,y%%% *ARR& Eh: Eh: PE$ER I., +onna (ive here: *ARR& Can.t beat the rent% PE$ER $his is too +enero-s% &o-.ve

+otta (et ,e pay yo- ,y share% *ARR& 5 ay% &o-r share is ha(' o' 2hat I pay) so yo- o2e ,e%%% han+ on) (et ,e r-n the n-,bers%%% nothin+% My dad bo-+ht it 'or ,e) 'or 7od.s sa e9 A three bedroo, apart,ent in the ,idd(e o' Manhattan: I' I don.t +ive a roo, to so,ebody I.(( +o to he((% &o-.re savin+ ,y so-(% PE$ER I insist% I., tota((y bro e as -s-a() b-t I 2ant to pay so,ethin+% *ARR& Loo ) a(( yo- have to do is ,eet the o(d bastard and ,a e hi, (i e yo-) and be(ieve ,e) that.(( be pay,ent eno-+h% *e.s co,in+ by to,orro2) a'ter the parade% *ey) yo- 2anna co,e to the parade 2ith ,e: My dad +ot ,e tic ets) +reat seats% PE$ER $han s) b-t I.ve +otta 2or parade% $a in+ pict-res% the at Peter) s-dden(y nervo-s%

$here is a KN5CK at the door% *arry (oo s at it) then bac *ARR& Pete) there.s so,ethin+ I +otta te(( yo-%

Peter (oo s at hi,- 2hat: *arry hesitates% $his is a2 2ard% $he noc PE$ER =hat is it: 3another noc 6 Aren.t yo- +onna%%% 3ans2er the door:6 *ARR& &eah) I 0-st%%% yeah% I%%% oh) he((% *an+ on a second% *e +oes to the door) opens it-and M%>% 2a( s in% Peter stares) st-nned) -nco,prehendin+% M%>% *ey) $i+er% She +ives *arry a deep e,barrassed%

co,es at the door a+ain%

iss% Peter co,prehends% *e is devastated) st-nned by the

iss)

*ARR& &o- re,e,ber M%>%) don.t yo-) Pete: Peter Par er) Mary >ane =atson% Mary >ane =atson) Peter Par er% Peter =atson) Mary Par er >ane%%% Peter 0-st stands there) 'ee(in+ (i e an idiot% M%>% (oo s at hi,) s,i(es% It i((s hi,% PE$ER *i% M%>% Can.t eep a2ay 'ro, one another) ri+ht: PE$ER 3tro-b(e 'or,in+ 2ords6 7-ess not% *ARR& So 2e) -,) M%>% and ,e) I ,ean) -h) obvio-s(y 2e) -h- inda +ot bac to+ether a+ain% PE$ER 7reat9 .Sc-se ,e a sec% *e t-rns 'or the other roo,) anythin+ to +et o-t o' there and re+ain his co,pos-re% *arry h-rries across the roo,) catches -p to hi,) (o2ers his voice% *ARR& I had to do it) ,an) she.s a(( I tho-+ht abo-t 'or the past year% I co-(dn.t +et her o-t o' ,y ,ind% She drives ,e insane) D-de) 0-st (oo at her%%% *ey) yo- don.t have to se(( Peter Par er on Mary >ane =atson) o ay: *ARR& 3cont.d6 I 2as +onna te(( yo-) b-ddy% I 0-st co-(dn.t 'ind the ri+ht ,o,ent% PE$ER 3not a +ood actor6 =hy 2o-(d I care: *ARR& =e(() I ,ean) I no2 yo-) -hPE$ER *arry) I rea((y don.t no2 2hat yo- ,ean% I., happy 'or yo-% =oah) I +otta +et to 2or %

*e t-rns and 2a( s a2ay) (eavin+ *arry starin+ a'ter hi,% C8$ $5" E#$% >8S$ 5!! PARK A4EN8E - NI7*$ A to2nho-se ,ansion) 'orty 'eet 2ide at (east) 0-st o'' Par Aven-e% A ,an sta++ers do2n the side2a( ) ,a es his 2ay -p the steps and into the ho-se% =e dri't to2ard the 'ront door% IN$% MANSI5N - NI7*$ Sti(( dri'tin+) no2 thro-+h the op-(ent 'irst '(oor o' the e,pty ,ansion% So,e (i+ht and noise 'ro, -pstairs) 2e dri't to2ard that% 8p a staircase% Do2n a ha((% 8p another staircase% $here.s a (i+ht at the top o' these stairs% IN$% MAS$ER S8I$E - NI7*$ Into the ,aster s-ite% Into a c(oset the si/e o' ,ost Ne2 &or apart,ents% Past ro2s and ro2s and ro2s o' tai(ored s-its% Past a co(-,n o' han+in+ nec ties) there ,-st be 'ive h-ndred o' .e,% $o2ard the open to theIN$% MAS$ER BA$*R55M - NI7*$ -,aster bathroo,) a(( +(ea,in+ 2hite ti(e and po(ished si(ver% Nor,an 5sborn) scraped and sin+ed by the e1p(osion) sp(ashes 2ater on his 'ace) desperate(y% *e (oo s -p) into the ,irror) 'ace drippin+% *e peers c(oser) at his 'ace% So,ethin+ stran+e is happenin+% $he 'eat-res aren.t so(id) they.re ,ovin+) ,e(tin+) as i' Nor,an has dropped so,e e1tre,e(y heavy acid% No2) to his horror) his 'ace act-a((y tears in t2o) rippin+ ri+ht do2n the ,idd(e) and one 2ho(e 'ace s(ithers o-t o' his o2n) ta in+ -p position ri+ht ne1t to it% B-t this is a hideo-s 'ace) 'aint(y rese,b(in+ his o2n% It.s ,echanica() +rotes;-e) 2ith a sic enin+ +reenish h-e% In 'act) i' it (oo s (i e anythin+) it.s that insect- (oo in+ he(,et 2e sa2 bac in the (ab at 5sCorp) the one that.s -sed to contro( that '(yin+ +(ider% $he second 'ace spea s) 2ith a voice that is (i e 5sborn.s) b-t di''erent) 2arped) other- thanh-,an% $his is the 7REEN 75BLIN.S voice% 3More on the na,e (ater%6 7REEN 75BLIN 5sborn%%% 5SB5RN =ho%%% 2ho are yo-:9 7REEN 75BLIN I a, the voice yo- re'-se to hear%%% $he drea, yo-.re a'raid to re,e,ber%%% 5SB5RN =hat do yo- 2ant:

7REEN 75BLIN $o say 2hat yo- 2on.t%%% $o do 2hat yo- can.t%%% 5SB5RN =hat do yo- ,ean: &o- a(ready 7REEN 75BLIN no2%%%

*orri'ied) 5sborn sha es his head 'ro, side to side- no) not that- It see,s he does no2% 7REEN 75BLIN 3cont.d6 $here is a 2ea (in % 5SB5RN No9 7REEN 75BLIN A threat to the co,pany% Don.t ta( 5SB5RN (i e that9

7REEN 75BLIN 5ne day he 2i(( destroy it% 5SB5RN Don.t say these thin+s9 7REEN 75BLIN Lay 2aste to yo-r +rand'ather.s co,pany%%% 5SB5RN P(ease%%% 7REEN 75BLIN 8n(ess he.s stopped% Be'ore it.s too (ate% 5SB5RN $hat isn.t tr-e9 7REEN 75BLIN &o- be(ieve it is% 5SB5RN I.ve never tho-+ht that9 &o- thin 7REEN 75BLIN that every day%

5SB5RN B-t he.s- ,y 7od) he.s7REEN 75BLIN

Abraha, 2as 2i((in+%%% he had the stren+th%%% so too do I% 5SB5RN =hat are yo- +oin+ to do:9 $he 'ace be+ins to ,ove) s(idin+ +rotes;-e(y bac 7REEN 75BLIN Protect the co,pany%%% 5sborn S*RIEKS) +rabs ho(d o' his head as the 7ob(in ,e(ds bac 5SB5RN 7od) no) no) p(ease!ind the 2ea 7REEN 75BLIN (in % into hi,- it h-rts9 into 5sborn.s o2n 'ace%

5SB5RN *E.S M& S5N999 Brea 7REEN 75BLIN it in t2o% C8$ $5" E#$% C5L8MB8S CIRCLE - DA& *arry 5sborn stares -p into the s y) a (oo *ARR& Isn.t it +reat: *arry and M%>% are in the ,idd(e o' the cro2d in Co(-,b-s Circ(e on a bea-ti'-( ear(y 2inter ,ornin+% 7iant ba((oons '(oat hi+h in the air as the $han s+ivin+ Day Parade ,a es its 2ay do2n Centra( Par =est) bo-nd 'or Broad2ay and $i,es S;-are% *arry (oo s do2n at the tic ets in his hand% *ARR& 3cont.d6 Co,e on) o-r seats are ri+ht -p 'ront9 *e ta es her hand and (eads her to2ard a revie2in+ stand) ta(( b(eachers three stories hi+h) set -p nearby% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) $hese are the e1pensive seats% $he MA&5R 5! NE= &5RK sits ne1t to a visitin+ !5REI7N LEADER) a +ri,- 'aced +-y% $he Mayor ,a es conversation thro-+h IN$ERPRE$ERS% MA&5R Ah9 &es) that one is Snoopy) a sort o' devi(- ,ay- care do+ 2ho '(ies his do+ho-se aro-nd and pretends to be a =or(d =ar I pi(ot% o' chi(d(i e innocence and 2onder on his 'ace%

$he Interpreter interprets) b-t the !orei+n Leader (oo s ba''(ed% MA&5R 3cont.d6 =or(d =ar I: $he 7reat =ar: =ar to end a(( =ars: 3(o2 to his aide6 Did they sit that one o-t: NEARB&) *arry and M%>% arrive) 'ind their seats% IN $*E S$REE$) Peter Par er 2or s his 2ay thro-+h the cro2d) (oaded do2n 2ith ca,eras% *e raises his ca,era) s;-ee/es o'' a 'e2 shots% $*R587* *IS LENS) Peter searches the cro2d) 'inds M%>% and *arry% *e sees *arry (ean over to +ive her a iss% =as it Peter.s i,a+ination) or did M%>% +ive *arry a chee 2hen he 2anted (ips: *ope9 5N $*E S$REE$) Peter s-dden(y stops 2hat he.s doin+) r-bbin+ the bac *e (oo s aro-nd) doesn.t see anythin+% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) $he Mayor is sti(( doin+ his best 2ith the !orei+n Leader% MA&5R 5h) here co,es 7ar'ie(d) ,y 'avorite9 7ar'ie(d is a 2onder'-( sort o') -h) sarcastic cat% 3the Interpreter (oo s p-//(ed6 "Sarcastic cat:" Don.t yo- have a 2ord 'or that: $he Mayor t-rns) hearin+ so,ethin+% So do the others aro-nd hi,% It.s a hi+h- pitched =*ININ7 so-nd% 5N $*E S$REE$) Peter is rea((y +oin+ cra/y) certain there is a prob(e, so,e2here) b-t not s-re 2here it is% *e (oo s -p% IN $*E SK&) So,ethin+ darts in and o-t o' the c(o-ds) so,ethin+ s,a(( and very) very 'ast% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) $he Mayor is s;-intin+ -p into the s y) at the so-rce o' the b-//in+% o' his nec ) his Spider- Sense +oin+ o''%

MA&5R I) -h%%% I., not 'a,i(iar 2ith that one) it ,-st be ne2 this year% *e raises a pair o' binoc-(ars% IN MID-AIR) =e.re '(yin+) a 'irst- person shot% A deran+ed CACKLE echoes over the 2hine o' a 0et- en+ine t-rbine% 5N $*E S$REE$) A b-nch o' C5PS have noticed it too% $hey (oo -p%

=hatever- it- is co,es thro-+h 'or another pass) (o2er this ti,e% B-t it passes so 'ast) /i+/a++in+ thro-+h the '(oats) that 2e can.t rea((y +et a hand(e on it% $he cro2d APPLA8DS% M-st be part o' the act% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) $he !orei+n Leader app(a-ds) s,i(es 'or the 'irst ti,e% *e (i es this bit% 5N $*E S$REE$) $he Cops re(a1% 7-ess it.s part o' the sho2% B-t Peter senses tro-b(e% *e e(bo2s his 2ay thro-+h the cro2d and ta es o'' do2n the street) to2ard the ,o-th o' an a((ey% IN MID-AIR) =hatever- it- is c-r(s -p into the s y) ban s) and hovers ri+ht over -s) +ivin+ -s o-r 'irst +ood (oo at it% It.s the 7REEN 75BLIN) c(ad in 'or,- 'ittin+ dar +reen 2ith a decided(y ,i(itary (oo to it% $hat +rotes;-e) s in- ti+ht he(,et is p-((ed over its 'ace) +reen ,echanica( eyes shinin+ bri+ht(y thro-+h it% $he 7ob(in has both (e+s astride a s,a(( '(at '(yin+ 2in+) bi+ eno-+h 'or one) 2ith 'ootho(ds on either side o' a sin+(e 0et en+ine- both he(,et and 2in+ are the ones 2e sa2 bac in 5tto 5ctavi-s. (ab% $he 7ob(in.s head t2itches) the 7(ider responds i,,ediate(y) ban in+ and p(-,,etin+-strai+ht do2n to2ard the street9 *e '(ies ri+ht do2n into the thic o' the cro2d) 2hich SCREAMS and scatters) and he SLAMS thro-+h a (ine o' Cops) sendin+ the, t-,b(in+ in a(( directions% Reachin+ into an ar,a,ent po-ch 3sho-(d 2e ca(( it a 7ob(in ba+:6 'itted on the side o' the 7(ider) the 7ob(in drops a s,a(( oran+e p-,p in- shaped +renade in the ,idd(e o' the,% $he 7ob(in races on aro-nd Co(-,b-s Circ(e at chest (eve() peop(e SCREAMIN7 and (eapin+ o-t o' his 2ay as he CACKLES ,aniaca((y) droppin+ p-,p in bo,bs (e't and ri+ht% *e reaches the end o' the street and roc ets strai+ht -p into the s y) disappearin+ into the c(o-ds% IN AN ALLE&) Peter 'inishes s-rreptitio-s(y 2ebbin+ a ca,era into p(ace on a second '(oor ba(cony) pointed at the revie2in+ stand% *e sets the sh-tter on a-to,atic and starts to -nb-tton his shirt) revea(in+

his Spider- Man cost-,e -nderneath% 5N $*E S$REE$) EAP-!LAS*9 A p-,p in bo,b e1p(odes in a bri((iant oran+e '(ash) so bri+ht and searin+ it t-rns everythin+ into an #-ray i,a+e 'or a sp(it- second) sho2in+ -s the s e(etons o' the Cops +ro-ped aro-nd it% =hen the '(ash 'adesC5P D I CAN.$ SEE99 $he other Cops start sho-tin+ too) they have a(( s-''ered the sa,e 'ate) they are co,p(ete(y b(ind9 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) M%>% and *arry thro2 their hands to their 'aces) S*58$ in s-rprise and a(ar,) they too are -nab(e to see% *I7* 8P AB54E $*EM) $he 7ob(in (oo s do2n 0oy'-((y as the other bo,bs +o o'') one a'ter the other) (i e a circ(e o' '(ashb-(bs poppin+ o'' a(( aro-nd Co(-,b-s Circ(e% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) It.s chaos% $he bo,bs have b(o2n o-t t2o o' the s-pports o' the revie2in+ stand) and it (-rches o'' to one side) s2ayin+% Peop(e SCREAM and SCRAMBLE% IN MID-AIR) 5ver the =AILS 5! AN78IS* risin+ -p 'ro, the street be(o2) the 7reen 7ob(in spins his 7(ider aro-nd and p(-,,ets strai+ht to2ard the revie2in+ stand) the nose o' the 7(ider pointed ri+ht at-*ARR& 5SB5RN9 $he 7ob(in hits a s2itch on the center conso(e o' the 7(ider% 5n the nose) a sharp- pointed spear rotates into p(ace% *arry (oo s -p in horror- ME:9 $he 7ob(in '(ic s a s2itch) CACKLIN7 =ILDL&-$he spear R5CKE$S o-t o' the 7(ider) '(ies strai+ht to2ard *arry) and-$*=IP9 A sin+(e 2eb strand shoots +race'-((y o-t o' no2here) intercepts the spear 0-st inches 'ro, *arry.s chest) and '(ips it a2ay% IN MID-AIR) $he 7ob(in (oo s -p) a,a/ed% No2- $*=IP-$*=IP-$*=IP9- a torrent o' 2eb strands c-r( aro-nd the en+ine o' his 7(ider) yan in+ it do2n to street (eve( and bindin+ it to a ce,ent post% 5N $*E S$REE$)

7ob(in and 7(ider are yan ed to an abr-pt ha(t% Enra+ed) the 7ob(in (oo s aro-nd 'or 2hoever dared to th2art his p(ans% As panic and ,ayhe, en+-(' the streets aro-nd the,) Spider- Man descends ca(,(y 'ro, a (i+htpost behind the 7ob(in) han+in+ -pside- do2n 'ro, a 2eb% SPIDER-MAN *ey% $he 7ob(in 2hir(s aro-nd) '-rio-s% SPIDER-MAN 3cont.d6 I 2ear the ti+hts in this to2n% P5=9 Spider- Man -ncor s a po2er'-( p-nch that sends the 7ob(in sai(in+ bac (e+s sti(( stradd(in+ his 7(ider% *e SMACKS into a 2a((% AB54E $*EM) Rivets CRACK and P5P o-t o' the revie2in+ stand as it be+ins to co((apse% M%>% and *arry sti(( stand in the ,idd(e o' the s2ayin+ stand) (i e s aters on thin ice% M%>% 5h) no%%% IN $*E S$REE$) $he 7ob(in recovers hi,se(') spins -pri+ht on his 7(ider) and S*58$S at Spider- Man% 7REEN 75BLIN 7et o-t o' ,y 2ay or I.(( destroy yo-9 SPIDER-MAN "7et o-t o' ,y 2ay or I.(( destroy yo-) p(ease%" $he 7ob(in 2hips a boo,eran+ o-t o' his 7ob(in ba+ and SLICES the 2eb strand that binds the 7(ider% *e hits the acce(eration and the 7(ider R5CKE$S 'or2ard) strai+ht at Spider- Man% $he 2eb- s(in+er (eaps at the (ast second and (ands on the side o' a b-i(din+) three '(oors -p% D5=N BEL5=) $he 7ob(in is +oin+ too 'ast to stop) and sai(s ri+ht thro-+h the open door o' an o''ice b-i(din+% IN$% 5!!ICE B8ILDIN7 - DA& $he 7ob(in 7(ider b(asts thro-+h the b-i(din+ at top speed) SMAS*ES thro-+h a 2indo2 on the other side o' the (obbyE#$% CI$& S$REE$ - DA& -co,es o-t o' the opposite street) (oops -p) over the intervenin+ b-i(din+sE#$% C5L8MB8S CIRCLE - DA& across the street)

-and p(-,,ets do2n a+ain) strai+ht to2ard Spider- Man) 2ho.s sti(( on the side o' the b-i(din+% Spidey '(attens hi,se(' a+ainst the b-i(din+) the 7(ider SCRAPES past) Spidey re(eases his +rip) and he (ands s;-are on top o' the 7ob(in.s sho-(ders) (e+s stradd(in+ hi,% $he 7ob(in SCREAMS and (oses contro( o' the 7(ider% It roc ets do2n the street) spinnin+ over and over% IN $*E AIR) A ne2s he(icopter 2hips aro-nd) a CAMERAMAN hasti(y points his (ens at the incredib(e ,id- air batt(e% $*R587* *IS LENS) =e see the 7ob(in and Spider- Man) (oc ed in batt(e) a video i,a+e that t-rns into so,eone.s te(evision set) and 2e.re s-dden(y in-so,ebody.s din+y base,ent apart,ent) 2here 2e.re 2atchin+ a te(evision report abo-t the ,ayhe, at the parade% A ME$AL CLA= sna es aro-nd a bott(e o' bo-rbon% A SEC5ND CLA= co,es into 'ra,e) t2ists the cap o''% A $*IRD CLA= drops so,e ice into a +(ass 2hi(e the 'irst c(a2 po-rs% As the ice CRACKS) the second c(a2 raises the +(ass to the (ips o' Dr% 5tto 5ctavi-s) 2ho is seated in a ratty ar,chair in 'ront o' the te(evision) +(o2erin+ at the screen% 5ctavi-s (oo s (i e he((% *e.s shirt(ess) h-+e (-,py pin +ashes crisscrossin+ his chest every 2hich 2ay) a(( aro-nd the area 2here the ,eta( corset 2as seared into his b(ac ened '(esh% *e seethes as he stares at the screen) 2atches the report) sees the her y- 0er y 'oota+e o' the 7reen 7ob(in atop the 7(ider% 5C$A4I8S $hat%%% is MINE9 *e stands) h-r(s the +(ass to the carpet 2ith one ar,) sha es a 'ist in the air 2ith the other ar,) p-ts a ,eta( c(a2 thro-+h the $4 screen 2ith the other ar,) s2eeps the bott(es and thin+s o'' the co-ntertop 2ith the other ar,) p-nches a ho(e in the 2a(( 2ith the other ar,) and p-nches a ho(e in the cei(in+ 2ith the other ar,% 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE999 $he $4 i,a+e o' the 7ob(in abr-pt(y beco,es rea(ity a+ain) and 2e.re bac 5N B5ARD $*E 7LIDER =here the 7ob(in 'ina((y re+ains contro(% 7REEN 75BLIN I., 2arnin+ yo-) Spider- Man9 I., no p-rse snatcher or chain- +rabber9 I a, (i e yo-9 I a, ,ore than yo-9 $he 7ob(in thro2s a '-rio-s p-nch that sends Spider- Man '(yin+ o'' the 7(ider% Spidey sai(s thro-+h the airE#$% R55!$5P - DA&

-and SMACKS neat(y -p a+ainst the side o' a +(ass b-i(din+) sp(ay- (e++ed% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) *arry and M%>% are part o' the cro2d that.s ,ad(y c(i,bin+ across the s2ayin+ b(eachers) tryin+ (i e he(( to +et o'' the,% A h-+e s-pport bea, CRACKS and 'a((s) SMAS*IN7 thro-+h the b(eachers bet2een the,% M%>% st-,b(es) 'a((s) the bea, ro((s over and pins her (e+ beneath it- not hard eno-+h to brea it) 0-st hard eno-+h to trap her there% *arry hears her SCREAM) b-t he c(a2s at his eyes) he can.t see her to he(p her9 *ARR& M%>%9 5N $*E SIDE 5! $*E B8ILDIN7) Spider- Man pivots as the 7ob(in) above) circ(es aro-nd 'or another pass% Behind the 7ob(in) he sees so,ethin+ even ,ore terri'yin+- M%>%) trapped inside the co((apsin+ revie2in+ stand) *arry tryin+ to reach her% SPIDER-MAN M%>%9 $he 7(ider co,es in) (o2 and hard) strai+ht at Spider- Man) 2ho shoots a 2eb onto the b-i(din+ across the street% At the (ast second) he (eaps o-t o' the 2ay) s2in+in+ o-t into the air% 5N $*E 7LIDER) $he 7ob(in p-((s o-t a boo,eran+ and h-r(s it% IN MID-AIR) $he boo,eran+ EIPS thro-+h the air and s(ices across Spidey.s hand9 Spider- Man S*58$S in pain as the boo,eran+ ,a es a (on+) 0a++ed c-t ri+ht across his pa(,) severin+ his 2ebbin+ in the process% 5N $*E 7LIDER) $he 7ob(in sees the c-t and S*RIEKS 2ith +(ee as the boo,eran+ do-b(es bac IN MID-AIR) Spider- Man 'a((s) strai+ht do2n) p(-,,etin+ to2ard the pave,ent% 5N $*E 7LIDER) $he 7ob(in catches his boo,eran+) sees the b(ood +(istenin+ on its ed+e) and 2atches SpiderMan 'a((% IN MID-AIR) >-st t2o '(oors 'ro, beco,in+ a s,ashed spider) Spider- Man reaches o-t and +rabs ho(d o' a '(a+po(e that 0-ts o-t 'ro, the side o' a b-i(din+% *is +rip is stron+) he '(ips aro-nd it t2ice) to2ard hi,%

re(eases) sai(s thro-+h the air) and (ands5N A R55!$5P) -on a roo'top) hard% Spider- Man ro((s over) 7R5ANIN7) in terrib(e pain) c(-tchin+ a bad(y 2renched an (e% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) Boards are 'a((in+) the 2ho(e ric ety thin+ is abo-t to +o) everyone is c(i,bin+ cra/i(y to +et o'' it) b-t nobody.s he(pin+ M%>%) 2ho is trapped in the ,idd(e o' it a(() her (e+ pinned -nder the bea,% *arry is strainin+ to reach her) b-t he can.t ;-ite +et to her 2ith his o-tstretched hand% A bea, 'a((s) SMAS*ES thro-+h the 2ood ne1t to hi,) SPLIN$ERIN7 it% Rivets R5CKE$ 5!! in a(( directions (i e cross'ire% !ri+htened) *arry p-((s bac % *ARR& I.(( +et he(p9 M%>% No9 Don.t (eave ,e here9 *arry hesitates) torn- t-rns and c(i,bs a2ay) o'' the b(eachers% M%>% 3cont.d6 *ARR&9 IN $*E AIR) $he he(icopters that 2ere coverin+ the parade have noticed the revie2in+ stand and are racin+ over to2ard the sca''o(din+% 5N $*E RE4IE=IN7 S$AND) A h-+e bea, 7R5ANS ten 'eet over M%>%) at a 'orty- 'ive de+ree an+(e% It is +oin+ to 'a(() the ;-estion is) 2i(( she be there 2hen it does: She p-((s harder) tryin+ to 2rench her (e+ o-t 'ro, -nder the bea,% BEL5=) 5N $*E R55!$5P) Spider- Man (eaps to his 'eet) sees M%>% above hi,% *e r-ns) h-r(s hi,se(' o'' the side o' the b-i(din+) and (ands on the sca''o(din+) abo-t thirty or 'orty 'eet beneath her% *e starts to c(i,b to2ard her) strai+ht -p% 3And i' yo-.ve never seen Spider- Man on sca''o(din+) it is so,ethin+%6 8P AB54E *IM) M%>% sees the he(icopters co,in+% $han M%>% 7od9 *e(p ,e9

$he he(icopters arrive) the doors open-and they point their ca,eras at her% So,e he(p9

!ro, be(o2) Spider- Man is approachin+% SPIDER-MAN *AN7 5N9 She (oo s -p% $he 7R5ANIN7 BEAM sh-dders) be+ins to 'a((% Spider- Man h-r(s hi,se(' the (ast 'e2 'eet) (ands in the ,idd(e o' the 2rec a+e) standin+ ri+ht over M%>% $he bea, 'a((s-and he catches it) ho(din+ it a(o't 2ith one hand) a disp(ay o' incredib(e stren+th% *e reaches do2n 2ith the other hand) +rits his teeth) and (i'ts the bea, that is pinnin+ M%>% in p(ace% She dra+s herse(' 'ree) Spider- Man BELL5=S 2ith e''ort as he h-r(s the bea, a2ay 'ro, the,-and the b(eachers 'ina((y co((apse) bea,s 'a((in+ strai+ht to2ard the,) no 2ay he.(( be ab(e to stop these% *e +rabs M%>% 2ith one ar,) bends his (e+s) and (eaps9 It.s an incredib(e 0-,p) three stories) strai+ht -p into the airIN MID-AIR) -and at the ape1 o' his 0-,p) he shoots o-t a 2eb) it catches on the side o' a b-i(din+) and he s2in+s a2ay as the sca''o(din+ i,p(odes in a 2o-(d- have- been dead(y r-,b(e o' 2ood and ,eta(% M%>% (oo s at Spidey) 2ide- eyed) thri((ed% M%>% I ne2 yo-.d ca((9 IN $*E S$REE$) *arry 5sborn) 2ho is racin+ across the street 2ith t2o !IREMEN) stops in his trac s) 2atches M%>% and Spider- Man s2in+in+ a2ay) o-t over the city% A s2ar, o' PE5PLE race aro-nd *arry) he is b-''eted by the cro2d) b-t he can.t ta e his eyes o'' the vanishin+ s-perhero 2ho 0-st sto(e his +ir(% 5N A R55!$5P) $he 7ob(in (ands his 7(ider and hops o''% *e +oes to the ed+e and (oo s do2n- in the s2ar,in+ cro2d) he.(( never 'ind *arry a+ain% *e (oo s -p) sees Spider- Man '(yin+ a2ay) across the city% $he 7ob(in.s 'ace sets in a horrib(e) deter,ined +ri,ace% 7REEN 75BLIN I ,ay not be ab(e to i(( yo-) Spider- Man%%% b-t i' it.s the (ast thin+ I do) I.(( ,a e yo- 2ish yo2ere dead9

5N A R55!$5P !AR A=A&) Spider- Man co,es in 'or a (andin+) sets M%>% do2n +ent(y% SPIDER-MAN $his is 2here yo- +et o''% M%>% Pro,ise: *e t-rns to +o) b-t she ho(ds onto hi,% M%>% 3cont.d6 &o-.re b(eedin+9 She p-((s o-t a hand erchie' and 2raps it aro-nd his hand) 2here the boo,eran+ s(ashed hi,% M%>% 3cont.d6 Does that h-rt: *e sha es his head) in heaven) thri((in+ to her to-ch% She ,oves her hand aro-nd on his ar,) 'ee(in+ hi,% M%>% 3cont.d6 =o2% She s(ides her other hand (i+ht(y over his chest% M%>% 3cont.d6 *oney) yo- are b-i(t% SPIDER-MAN I%%% +ot to +o%%% *e (eaps -p onto the side o' the b-i(din+) doin+ a ,id- air '(ip so he.s c(in+in+ to the 2a(( -psidedo2n) ri+ht above her head% M%>% *ey9 Don.t I +et to say than this ti,e: yo-

She stretches -p) on her tiptoes) and (eans in c(ose to hi,% She isses hi,) open- ,o-thed) br-shin+ her (ips a(on+ the o-tside o' his ,as % *e near(y s2oons) (eans in 'or ,ore-then p-((s bac % $his is his best 'riend.s +ir(9 SPIDER-MAN I rea((y +otta +o% B-t he doesn.t ,ove% She 2hispers) c(ose and breathy% M%>% *o2 co,e: 7ot a Mrs% Spider- Man 2aitin+ so,e2here: *e pivots and ta es o'') disappearin+ over the ed+e o' the b-i(din+% M%>% r-shes 'or2ard and

2atches hi, s2in+ a2ay into the city% She is breath(ess% M%>% 3cont.d6 &o2/a% C8$ $5" IN$% *ARR&.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& A door opens and *arry 5sborn (oo s s-rprised% *ARR& Dad9 &o-.re ear(y% Nor,an 5sborn ta es a 'e2 proprietary steps into the apart,ent% *e.s s2eatin+% 5SB5RN *appy $han s+ivin+ to yo- too% *ARR& &o-.re not +oin+ to be(ieve 2hat happened at the parade9 M%>% and I 2ere a(,ost%%% 5SB5RN I no2% I heard a(( abo-t it% *e sett(es onto the so'a ne1t to M%>%) 2ipes the s2eat 'ro, his 'orehead 2ith a hand erchie'% *e (oo s -p at *arry) cons-,ed 2ith +-i(t% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 Are yo-%%% a(( ri+ht) son: *ARR& I., 'ine% 3o'' Nor,an.s concerned (oo 6 Rea((y% $han s 'or as in+% M%>% 3pa-se6 I., 'ine too% $han s% 5SB5RN 3i+norin+ her6 *arry) I no2 I.ve%%% (et yo- do2n% 5n occasion% In the past% *e +(ances at M%>% in irritation) 2ishes she 2asn.t there) b-t he.s +ot to +et this o'' his chest% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 Let.s 0-st say%%% I didn.t no2 2hat I 2as doin+% And that it 2on.t happen a+ain% *ARR& $han s) Dad%

32hat.s -p 2ith yo-:6 *ey) 2hy don.t 2e have a $han s+ivin+ dinner: I didn.t ,a e anythin+) b-t the three o' -s co-(d +o o-t% 5SB5RN 3bac to the o(d Nor,an6 Can.t today) 2or in+% B-t I.d be happy to pic -p yo-r chec % =here.s this ne2 tenant o' o-rs: I., a'raid I need to ,eet hi, and +o% *ARR& *e.s not a tenant% *e +oes to schoo( 2ith ,e% *e.s yo- no2) an a,i+o% E#$% APAR$MEN$ B8ILDIN7 - DA& =*55S*9 *arry.s a,i+o) dressed as E( *o,bre Arana at the ,o,ent) (ands on the side o' his apart,ent b-i(din+) in0-red% *e pivots a2 2ard(y) 'avorin+ his in0-ries) and cra2(s do2n a 'e2 '(oors% *e 'inds his 2indo2) s(ides it open) and cra2(s inside% IN$% PE$ER.S BEDR55M - DA& Peter p-((s o'' his ,as and drops onto the '(oor in his bedroo,% *e.s b(eedin+ 'ro, the c-t on his hand and his an (e is i((in+ hi,% IN $*E LI4IN7 R55M) $hey hear a $*8D as he hits the '(oor% Spea 5SB5RN o' the devi(%

*ARR& $hat.s 2eird) I didn.t no2 he 2as here% M%>% Peter: She +ets -p and heads 'or his bedroo,% IN PE$ER.S BEDR55M) *e 2hips aro-nd and (oo s at the door) 2i(d- eyed% *e sees shado2s ,ovin+ in the (i+ht -nder it) hears M%>%.s voice ca((in+ to hi,% *e.s sti(( in his cost-,e) ,as IN $*E LI4IN7 R55M) o'') ho(din+ a b-nd(e o' street c(othes%

M%>% is near(y to the door% Nor,an and *arry 0-st behind her% She t-rns the hand(e) opens it) and they a(( seeIN PE$ER.S BEDR55M) -nothin+% $he roo, is e,pty% 5sborn (eans past her and +(ances aro-nd the roo,% Kind o' a ,ess) c(othes and boo s and science e;-ip,ent scattered every2here% B-t no Peter% =e (oo -p% Peter) in '-(( cost-,e b-t 2itho-t his ,as ) c(in+s to the cei(in+ not t2o 'eet over their heads) c(-tchin+ his b-nd(e o' street c(othes -nder his ar,% *e (oo s at his ri+ht hand% A bi+) 'at drop o' b(ood is oo/in+ o-t 'ro, the c-t) ri+ht over 5sborn.s head% Peter bites his (ip% 5SB5RN $e(( hi, 2e don.t have ,aid service% $he drop o' b(ood 'a((s- and 5sborn t-rns to 2a( o-t% $he drop hits the (i+ht- co(ored carpet) ri+ht 2here he 2as standin+% 5sborn) the (ast in the door2ay) 'ree/es) ti(ts his head at the so-nd% 7ood hearin+) ,an% $he other t2o (eave) b-t 5sborn t-rns and 2a( s bac to 2here he 2as standin+%

5n the cei(in+) Spidey.s eyes 2iden - oh no% 5sborn is direct(y be(o2 hi,% 5sborn bends do2n) st-dies the carpet% *e sees the drop o' b(ood% H-ic (y) he (oo s -p at the cei(in+ above hi,% $here.s nobody there% *e t-rns) (oo s at the open 2indo2% *e 2a( s to it% !R5M 58$SIDE $*E =IND5=) =e see Spider- Man) c(in+in+ to the side o' the b-i(din+) c-r(ed over the 2indo2 as 5sborn co,es) (eans o-tside) and (oo s in both directions% Apparent(y satis'ied) he t-rns and +oes bac IN$% *ARR&.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& $he 'ront door to *arry.s apart,ent opens a+ain% Peter atte,pts a cas-a( entry) no2 dressed in street c(othes% PE$ER Did yo- see it: Did yo- see 2hat happened: Man) I hope I +ot a decent pict-re9 *ARR& Pete) there yo- are% $his is ,y 'ather) Nor,an 5sborn% PE$ER 5h9 P(eas-re to ,eet yo-) sir% inside% Spidey breathes a si+h o' re(ie'%

5SB5RN Li e2ise% 5sborn steps 'or2ard% !or+ettin+) Peter e1tends his ri+ht hand) the one 2ith the c-t) 2hich has been hasti(y 2rapped -p% 5sborn ta es it and s;-ee/es) Peter 7ASPS% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 Sorry%%% h-rt yo-r hand: Sti(( ho(din+ Peter.s hand) he p-((s it into vie2% PE$ER Bro en +(ass% Landed on it% M%>% &o- (anded on it: PE$ER &eah% I., an idiot% I 2as tryin+ to +et a pict-re o' that thin+ in the s y and I stepped ri+ht o-t in 'ront o' a ta1i% M-st have noc ed ,e t2enty 'eet% 5SB5RN Better have ,e ta e a (oo at it%

5sborn -n2raps the hand erchie') ta es it o'' Peter.s hand) revea(in+ the 0a++ed c-t ,ade by the 7ob(in.s boo,eran+% 5sborn.s eyes 2iden) he (oo s direct(y into Peter.s eyes% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 &o-.ve +ot to be ,ore care'-( in the streets% $his city.s '-(( o' (-natics% Peter nods) -neasy% =e pan aro-nd behind hi,) 2e see the hairs on the bac o' his nec standin+ -p% Spider sense +oin+ o'' (i e cra/y% Peter '-rro2s his bro2) r-bs the bac o' his nec % Can.t 'i+-re it o-t% PE$ER >-st a%%% 'e2 c-ts and scrapes% I.(( be 'ine% Avoidin+ 5sborn.s +a/e) he (i,ps over to the co-ch) 2here M%>% he(ps hi, to sit do2n) concerned% 5sborn 2atches hi, as he 2a( s) st-dyin+ the (i,p% $hin in+% A(2ays thin in+% Peter sits) noticin+ 5sborn.s +(are% =hat.s +oin+ on here: =hi(e *arry and M%>% start pepperin+ Peter 2ith ;-estions) 5sborn 0-st stares at hi,) (on+ and hard% *e (oo s do2n) at the b(oody hand erchie' that 2rapped Peter.s hand) 2hich he sti(( ho(ds% *e s(ips it into his poc et% 5SB5RN I rea((y sho-(d be +oin+% *arry: *e nods to2ard the ha((2ay) 'or *arry to 0oin hi,%

IN $*E *ALL=A&) 5sborn (eaves the apart,ent) 'o((o2ed by *arry% 5sborn p-((s the door near(y sh-t behind hi,% B-t not a(( the 2ay sh-t% 5SB5RN A 2ord to the not- so-2ise% $hat (itt(e tart 2i(( be +one at the 'irst si+n o' tro-b(e and she.(( ta e ha(' yo-r tr-st '-nd 2ith her% *ARR& B-t5SB5RN I., not 'inished% IN $*E APAR$MEN$) 5sborn.s voice can be heard c(ear(y in here) as the door is standin+ a0ar% Peter thro2s an an1io-s (oo at M%>%) 2ho (istens 2hi(e Nor,an 5sborn assassinates her character and *arry ,-,b(es) so't(y) o''erin+ no ob0ections% M%>% (oo s at hi,% Peter (oo s a2ay) e,barrassed 'or her% A'ter a ,o,ent) *arry co,es bac and c(oses the door% $here.s a (on+) a2 2ard pa-se% !ina((y" M%>% $han s 'or standin+ -p 'or ,e) *arry% *ARR& *e 0-st doesn.t -nderstand% M%>% &o- no2 2hat: *e.s ri+ht% I don.t no2 2hat I., doin+ 2ith yo- either% $hat creep is ri+ht% *ARR& 3s-dden(y an+ry6 $hat "creep" is ,y 'ather9 I' I., (-c y) I.ve +ot the brains and the +-ts to beco,e ha(' o' 2hat he is) so yo- 0-st 2atch yo-r ,o-th) yo(itt(eM%>% &o-.re beco,in+ so,ebody.s 'ather) a(( ri+ht% Mine% She stor,s o-t o' the apart,ent) SLAMMIN7 the door behind her% E#$% APAR$MEN$ B8ILDIN7 - DA& M%>% stor,s o-t o' the b-i(din+ and h-rries do2n the side2a( % Peter h-rries -p behind her) ta es in

her by the ar, to stop her% PE$ER M%>%) 2ait) yo-.ve +ot to -nderstand *arryM%>% I do) better than I ever have% $2ice today) I needed hi,) rea((y needed hi,) and he 2asn.t there% I need) I need- (oo ) I don.t have a c(-e 2hat I need) o ay: $here isn.t a person on this earth 2ho no2s ,e) inc(-din+ ,e% She covers her 'ace% Peter reaches o-t) p-ts a hand on her sho-(der% PE$ER I no2 yo-% I +re2 -p si1 'eet a2ay 'ro, yo-% I ne2 2hen yo- 2ere happy) I ne2 2hen thin+s 2ere bad- yo-.d p(ay Nirvana% I.d (ie in bed and (isten to yo- cryin+% "A(( a(one is a(( 2e are%" =e(() yo-.re not a(one) o ay: &o- never have been% 3e,barrassed) this is +oin+ too 2e((6 I 2ant yo- to no2 that% She (oo s at hi,) thin in+ abo-t hi,) in a 2ay) 'or the 'irst ti,e% M%>% $here.s on(y one +-y 2ho.s ever been there 2hen I needed hi,% 3Peter (oo s hope'-(6 And he 2ears a (eotard% 3(a-+hs) in spite o' herse('6 7od) I., a ,ess% IN$% *ARR&.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& *arry stands at the 2indo2 in his apart,ent) (oo in+ do2n at the street) 'ar be(o2% *e sees M%>% and Peter) in -r+ent conversation% *e steps over to a te(escope that.s pointed o-t over the par % *e s2in+s it do2n into position) to (oo at the,% $*R587* $*E $ELESC5PE LENS) =e see M%>% and Peter) ta( in+ -r+ent(y) Peter e1p(ainin+ thin+s) co,'ortin+ her) to-chin+ her ar,) p(eadin+ *arry.s case on his beha('% M%>% (istens) (istens- and then steps 'or2ard) p-ts her ar,s aro-nd Peter) and ho(ds on ti+ht% Peter t-rns) 2e see his 'ace as he c(oses his eyes) in heaven in her ar,s% $*R587* $*E LENS $*E 5$*ER =A&)

=e see *arry.s enor,o-s eye) 2atchin+ the,) the e,bracin+ co-p(e re'(ected in his +(assy p-pi(% $he eye 2idens) 0ea(o-sy is born% C8$ $5" $*E DAIL& B87LE *as a 'ront pa+e pict-re o' Spider- Man and the 7reen 7ob(in) doin+ batt(e atop the 7ob(in 7(ider) ne1t to the head(ine" *APP& !REAKS-7I4IN79 Spider- Man) 7reen 7ob(in $errori/e City9 =e /ip do2n to the corner o' the pa+e) 2here a tiny photo credit is printed) -nder the pict-re" Photo by Peter Par er IN >AMES5N.S 5!!ICE" $he paper cr-,p(es) revea(in+ the 'ace o' >onah >a,eson) pro-d(y che2in+ a ci+ar in his o''ice% 3By the 2ay) on the 2a(( behind >a,eson is a 'ra,ed photo+raph o' a handso,e yo-n+ astrona-t%6 Peter Par er stands opposite hi,- he see,s nervo-s% >AMES5N &o- (i e that) "7reen 7ob(in:" Made it -p ,yse('% Ever since Spider- Man) they a(( +otta have a na,e% *5!!MAN9 Ca(( the patent o''ice and copyri+ht the na,e 7reen 7ob(in9 I 2ant a ;-arter every ti,e so,ebody says it9 PE$ER Spider- Man 2asn.t terrori/in+ the city) he 2as tryin+ to save it9 *o2 co-(d yo- say that) it.s (ibe(9 >AMES5N =hat are yo-) his (a2yer: PE$ER It.s s(ander9 >AMES5N So (et hi, s-e ,e) and +et rich (i e a nor,a( person) that.s 2hat ,a es this co-ntry 7AAAACK9 $hat "7ac " 2as beca-se a (on+) stee(y c(a2 has s-dden(y 2rapped aro-nd >a,eson.s throat and s;-ee/ed% >a,eson.s 2ho(e body (i'ts -p into the air) Peter 7ASPS and (eaps bac ) >a,eson C*5KES 'or breath-and 5tto 5ctavi-s c(i,bs thro-+h the open 2indo2 o' >a,eson.s o''ice9 *e.s -sin+ his h-,an ar,s to p-(( hi,se(' into the roo,) ,ean2hi(e) one c(a2 re,ains on >a,eson.s throat) the other is 2rapped aro-nd his torso to (i't hi, o'' the +ro-nd) and the other ones are 2avin+ and SNAPPIN7 in the air) to ho(d Peter at bay%

>a,eson ,ana+es to cho e o-t a 'e2 2ords% >AMES5N 3cont.d6 =ho%%% are yo-:99 5C$A4I8S I a, 5tto 5ctavi-s% =here is Peter Par er: Peter.s eyes 2iden% *e 'ree/es% >a,eson cho es) 7ASPS) can.t +et 2ords o-t% *is 'ace is t-rnin+ cri,son% *e +est-res- p-t ,e do2n% 5ctavi-s re(eases his throat) BAN7S >a,eson bac aro-nd his torso to ho(d hi, there% do2n on the '(oor) one tentac(e sti(( 2rapped

Peter.s hand +oes instinctive(y to his shirt) -nder 2hich he 2ears his Spidey cost-,e- b-t 2here to chan+e: *e ,a es a ,ove 'or the door) b-t a tentac(e reaches it 'irst) SLAMS it sh-t) L5CKS it a+ainst the PE5PLE 2ho are racin+ -p to it 'ro, o-tside% 5C$A4I8S 3cont.d6 Par er) I said9 $he photo+rapher 2ho too the pict-re9 =here is he:9 >AMES5N *e isn.t here9 *e.s a 'ree- (ancer) 2e don.t even no2 2here he (ives9 SMACK9 $he tentac(e +oes bac pha(-, b2e- b2e% S;-ee/es% &o-.re (yin+% >a,eson opens his ,o-th) 2ords co,e o-t% PE$ER I., Peter Par er% $hey 2eren.t >a,eson.s 2ords) they 2ere Peter.s% I,,ediate(y) a(( 'o-r tentac(es re(ease >a,eson and he co((apses to the carpet% $he tentac(es s(ither and CRACK thro-+h the air) s-dden(y s2ir(in+ aro-nd Peter (i e airborne vipers% *e dares not ,ove% 5C$A4I8S $he ,an in the ,as ) the "7reen 7ob(in%" =ho is he: PE$ER =hy: $he tentac(es SNAP (i e b-((2hips% 5C$A4I8S I *A4E B8SINESS =I$* *IM9 =*5 IS *E:9 I don.t PE$ER no2% I never sa2 his 'ace% aro-nd >a,eson.s throat and another tentac(e +rabs ho(d o' his

5C$A4I8S

5ctavi-s is (ivid% *e peers ,ore c(ose(y at Peter) one tentac(e +rabs his chin) t-rns his 'ace to2ard hi,% 5C$A4I8S *o2 did yo- +et that pict-re: PE$ER 7ot (-c y% Ri+ht p(ace at the ri+ht ti,e% 5C$A4I8S I.(( be 2atchin+ yo-) Peter Par er% In case yo-.re ever "(-c y" a+ain% 5ctavi-s t-rns and heads bac his 'eet) r-bbin+ his nec % 'or the 2indo2% >a,eson) 2ho has re+ained hi,se(') str-++(es to

>AMES5N Ne1t ti,e ca(( 'or an appoint,ent) Doctor%%% Doctor%%% 5ctop-s% SMACK9 SLAP9 P8NC*9 555!!99 $he tentac(es s,ac >a,eson in the D6 chin) @6 chee ) ?6 +-t) and I6 ribs% *e do-b(es over in pain%

5C$A4I8S Don.t ca(( ,e that9 5 ay) 'ro, no2 on) 2e.(( ca(( hi, "Doc 5c %" In a '(ash) Doc 5c is +one) o-t the 2indo2% Peter and >a,eson h-rry over) >a,eson sti(( 7R5ANIN7 in pain% $hey (ean o-t the 2indo2 and (oo do2n% 58$ $*E =IND5=) $hey see Doc 5c ) c(i,bin+ strai+ht do2n the b-i(din+) tentac(es +rabbin+ and re(easin+ the side o' the b-i(din+) p-nchin+ thro-+h the 2indo2s) s,ashin+ thro-+h bric % In the street) PE5PLE see) P5IN$) and SCREAM) cars crash into each other% It.s ;-ite a si+ht) and none too cheap9 >AMES5N 3sha in+ his head6 City 0-st isn.t the sa,e since R-dy.s +one% IN$% N5RMAN 5SB5RN.S DRESSIN7 R55M - NI7*$ At ho,e) in his dressin+ roo,) Nor,an 5sborn p-((s Peter.s b(oodied hand erchie' 'ro, his poc et) (oo s at it% *e raises his other hand% *e.s ho(din+ the 7ob(in.s boo,eran+) its serrated ed+e red 2ith cr-sty b(ood% Spider- Man.s b(ood% IN$% N5RMAN 5SB5RN.S 5!!ICE - DA& A piece o' paper 2ith the bo(d 2ords LAB REP5R$ at the top ,a es its 2ay across the e1pensive r-+ in Nor,an 5sborn.s o''ice at 5sCorp) c(-tched in the hand o' an AIDE%

$he paper s(ides across the des ) to Nor,an) 2ho p-((s it aro-nd and st-dies it as the Aide sc-rries o-t o' the roo,% *is eyes s i, do2n the pa+e) past the 2ords "BL55D MA$C* $ES$ RES8L$)" a(( the 2ay do2n to a sin+(e 2ord) bo1ed in red at the botto, o' the pa+e" P5SI$I4E Nor,an 5sborn s,i(es% 5SB5RN Peter Par er%%% IN$% M%>%.S BEDR55M - NI7*$ M%>%) a(one and 'or(orn) stares o-t the open 2indo2 o' her crappy apart,ent) (ettin+ in the b(asts o' co(d air and 'resh- 'a((in+ sno2% She (oo s o-t the 2indo2 (on+in+(y) starin+ at the city) searchin+ its roo'tops 'or" M%>% %%%Spider- Man9 C8$ $5" IN$% A8N$ MA&.S BEDR55M - NI7*$ Bac in Peter.s boyhood ho,e) A-nt May is in her '(anne( ni+ht+o2n) +ettin+ ready 'or bed% She t-rns the bed do2n care'-((y) s,oothes the pi((o2% She 2a( s to her bathroo, past a 2indo2% $he drapes are sti(( open% She 'i((s a +(ass o' 2ater) carries it past the 2indo2 a+ain) and brin+s it to the ni+ht tab(e% She sets it do2n on the ni+ht tab(e) ne1t to a ra't o' prescription pi(( bott(es% She t-rns) her bac to the 2indo2) and nee(s do2n ne1t to the bed% *er nees CREAK) it.s pain'-( 'or her) she 'o(ds her hands and c(oses her eyes in prayer% A8N$ MA& 5-r !ather) 2ho art in *eaven) ha((o2ed be thy na,e% Behind her) the drapes are sti(( open% 5-t the 2indo2) a tiny spec appears on the hori/on% B-t that spec is approachin+% A-nt May is nee(in+ 2ith her bac t-rned) she has no idea% A8N$ MA& 3cont.d6 $hy in+do, co,e) thy 2i(( be done) on earth as it is in *eaven% $he spec +ro2s (ar+er 'ast) it.s the 7reen 7ob(in) on his +(ider) headed ri+ht to2ard the 2indo2) b-t 0-st be'ore he is abo-t to s,ash ri+ht thro-+h the 2indo2 he stops) abr-pt(y) starin+ inside% A8N$ MA& 3cont.d6 7ive -s this day o-r dai(y bread%%% $he 7ob(in ti(ts his head) as i' (istenin+ to her stran+e ,-r,-rin+% As his he(,et ti(ts) coc in+ o'' to the side (i e the RCA Do+%

A8N$ MA& 3cont.d6 %%%and 'or+ive -s o-r trespasses as 2e 'or+ive those that trespass a+ainst -s% Lead -s not into te,ptation) b-t%%% =ith an inco,prehensib(e b-rst o' acce(eration) the 7ob(in hits the +as and the +(ider roc ets 'or2ard) E#PL5DIN7 thro-+h the 2indo2) sendin+ S*A$$ERIN7 +(ass '(yin+ in a(( directions% A-nt May spins aro-nd) horri'ied) and 'a((s to the '(oor) on her bac % $he 7ob(in hovers over her terror- stric en 'ace% $he roo, s(o2(y 'i((s 2ith +reen vapor and the (o2) horrib(e B8EE o' the +(ider.s en+ine% A8N$ MA& 3cont.d6 %%% b-t%%% b-t%%% b-t%%% A-nt May pa(es) her eyes pop 2ide) starin+ -p into the inh-,an) ye((o2 eyes o' the 7ob(in.s he(,et) no2 0-st t2e(ve inches separate her 'ro, those eyes% 7REEN 75BLIN !INIS* I$9 !INIS* I$9 *er hands c(-tch her chest) she 7ASPS" A8N$ MA& %%%DELI4ER 8S !R5M E4IL99 *er body arches) tenses) then +oes (i,p% *er eyes c(ose% 7REEN 75BLIN 3pio-s(y6 A,en% 5N $*E =ALLS 5! $*E BEDR55M) 7reen spray paint sprays a hideo-s ,essa+e over A-nt May.s paste( '(o2ered 2a((paper" CRA=L A=A&) SPIDER9 E#$% PARKER *58SE - NI7*$ !ro, across the street) the 7reen 7ob(in.s horrib(e CACKLE 'i((s the nei+hborhood ni+ht% C8$ $5" IN$% *ARR&.S APAR$MEN$ - DA& *arry 5sborn stands over the te(ephone in his apart,ent) his hand sti(( on the receiver% *e (oo s -p% *e has so,e sad ne2s 'or -s" *ARR& She.s +one% Peter has 0-st co,e o-t o' his bedroo,% PE$ER =hat:

*ARR& M%>% She 0-st bro e -p 2ith ,e) ,an% She scraped ,e o'' her shoe% She.s in (ove 2ith so,ebody e(se% PE$ER =ho: *ARR& I 2onder% PE$ER =hat: *ARR& 7et that innocent (oo o'' yo-r 'ace) yo- can.t p-(( it o''% $he phone starts to rin+% *ARR& 3cont.d6 $hin+s 0-st co,e to yo-) don.t they) 7o(den Boy: &o- don.t even have to try) yo- 0-st have to 2ant it% $he brains% $he +rades% $his apart,ent) b-t a(( that 2asn.t eno-+h) yo- had to have ,y +ir('riend too% PE$ER &o-.re 2ay o-t o' (ine) ,an) yo-.re paranoid% &o- don.t no2 2hat yo-.re ta( in+ abo-t% *arry stares Peter do2n 'or a (on+ ,o,ent% $he phone is sti(( rin+in+% *ARR& =e.re not 'inished% 3snatches -p the phone6 *e((o% &eah: =hat: $here is a (on+ pa-se) then he t-rns to Peter) his 'ace ashen% *ARR& 3cont.d6 So,eone bro e into yo-r A-nt May.s ho-se% She%%% Pete) she.s%%% Be'ore he can 'inish his sentenceC8$ $5" E#$% APAR$MEN$ B8ILDIN7 - DA& -BAN79 $he 'ront door o' the apart,ent b-i(din+ '(ies open and Peter races o-tside to the c-rb) (oo in+ 'or a cab%

Peter r-ns ri+ht o-t into tra''ic) desperate% It.s ,ornin+ r-sh ho-r) tra''ic is b-,per to b-,per) even i' he co-(d 'ind a cab it 2o-(dn.t be ab(e to ,ove% Peter P58NDS the hood o' a car in 'r-stration) the DRI4ER S*58$S o-t the 2indo2) *5RNS *5NK) chaos% Peter ta es o'') do2n a side street% E#$% ALLE& - DA& Peter d-c s into an a((ey and t-rns to his a(ternative ,ode o' transportation% Sti(( in his street c(othes) he h-r(s hi,se(' at the side o' a b-i(din+ and be+ins to c(i,b) shr-++in+ o'' the pain 'ro, his in0-red an (e% E#$% R55!$5P - DA& 7ainin+ the b-i(din+.s roo'top) Peter s(in+s o-t a 2eb and ta es o'' across the city) not even botherin+ to strip do2n to his Spidey s-it% IN$% *5SPI$AL C5RRID5R - DA& Peter races do2n a hospita( corridor) chec in+ roo, n-,bers% *e reaches the (ast one on the ri+ht) d-c s inside) and seesIN$% *5SPI$AL R55M - DA& -A-nt May) se,i- conscio-s in a hospita( bed% $=5 N8RSES are at 2or $he N-rses (oo -p) see Peter and nod to hi, to co,e over% on her) she (oo s ro-+h%

Peter co,es -p to the bed) ta es A-nt May.s 'rai() papery hand% She t-rns her head) sees hi, thro-+h ,i( y b(-e eyes% Peter.s o2n eyes 'i(( 2ith tears% PE$ER I., sorry%%% I sho-(d have been there 2ith yo-%%% I sho-(d have been there%%% A8N$ MA& $hose eyes%%% the devi(.s eyes%%% PE$ER =hose eyes: =ho 2as it: A8N$ MA& %%%horrib(e ye((o2 eyes9 =ith a 'ri+htened sh-dder at the ,e,ory) A-nt May ro((s over and (apses bac -nconscio-sness% Peter.s o2n eyes pop open% 5h) 7od% S-re(y she doesn.t ,ean%%% C8$ $5" E#$% 5SB5RN MANSI5N - NI7*$ $he 5sborn ,ansion) 0-st o'' Par % A 'i+-re tr-d+es -p the steps) head h-n+ (o2% IN$% 5SB5RN MANSI5N - 8PS$AIRS *ALL=A& - NI7*$ into

*arry 5sborn tiptoes -p the stairs o' the to2nho-se% *e 2a( s to2ard the end o' a (on+) (on+ dar ha((2ay) 2here a (i+ht is on% !ro, the roo, at the end o' the ha(() he hears an AN7R& M8$$ERIN7) b-t he can.t ,a e o-t any o' the 2ords% *ARR& Dad: Nor,an 5sborn) dressed in nor,a( c(othes) steps into the ha((2ay) start(ed% $hey ta( ) 'ro, this +reat distance% 5sborn is 0-st a dar shado2% *ARR& 3cont.d6 &o- 2ere ri+ht abo-t M%>% &o- 2ere ri+ht abo-t everythin+% I thin she.s in (ove 2ith Peter% 5SB5RN Peter%%% Par er: *e ta es a 'e2 steps 'or2ard) c(oser in this (on+ ha((2ay% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 And does he%%% (ove her as 2e((: *ARR& Are yo- iddin+: *e tries to deny it) b-t he.s been in (ove 2ith her since he 2as t2e(ve years o(d% 5SB5RN Reeeeea((y% =hat a%%% tan+(ed 2eb% *arry covers his 'ace 2ith one hand) to cover his sha,e) to hide the 'act that he has be+-n to sob% *ARR& I., sorry% &o- ,-st thin I., so 2ea % 5h 7od) Dad) yo- hate ,e%%% I no2 yo- hate ,e% 5SB5RN *arry%%% no) *arry) yo- ,-stn.t say that) yo- ,-stn.t ever say that% =hatever.s happened 2ith -s in the past) it doesn.t ,atter% I (ove yo-% I (ove yo- and I.(( do anythin+ I can to he(p yo-% !ina((y) he steps into a poo( o' (i+ht ri+ht in 'ront o' his son% 5SB5RN 3cont.d6 3-tter(y sincere6 ind o' dad do yo- thin I a,: C8$ $5" IN$% *5SPI$AL R55M - NI7*$

=hat

Late at ni+ht% Dar % Peter sits a (one(y vi+i( ne1t to A-nt May.s bed) in and o-t o' conscio-sness% *e hears a so't $APPIN7 'ro, the door behind hi,% *e t-rns% M%>% stands in the door2ay) ho(din+ a bo-;-et o' '(o2ers% Peter (oo s at her) then (oo s a2ay) bac at his A-nt% M%>% co,es in) sets the '(o2ers do2n% She bends over) p-ts her ar,s aro-nd Peter.s nec ) +ives hi, a h-+% *e c(oses his eyes) a(,ost can.t bear it% $hey spea in h-shed 2hispers% M%>% =i(( she be o ay: PE$ER Maybe% Maybe not% =ords '(o2 o-t o' hi,) a(,ost a+ainst his 2i((% $hey spea PE$ER 3cont.d6 No ,atter 2hat I do) no ,atter ho2 hard I try) the peop(e I (ove are a(2ays%%% the ones 2ho pay% M%>% I been there% I no2 it 'ee(s (i e yo-r 'a-(t% I tho-+ht it 2as ,y 'a-(t 2hen ,y dad (e't) b-t it 2asn.t% &o-.re +ood to her% $hat.s a(( yo- can be% &o-.re +ood to everyone) Peter% She +ives hi, a iss on the chee ) a so't) (in+erin+ one% $his is a(,ost tort-re) and it a2a ens so,ethin+ -+(y in hi,% PE$ER =hat is this) an a-dition: M%>% =hat: PE$ER Are yo- tryin+ o-t 'or a ne2 part: $he best 'riend: $hat.s 2hat yo-.re abo-t to te(( ,e) isn.t it: &orespect ,e) yo- ad,ire ,e) yo- (ove ,e) as a 'riend% Ri+ht:9 Don.t bother 2ith that speech) M%>%) I.ve heard it p(enty o' ti,es be'ore% *e +ets -p and heads 'or the door) 'ast% M%>% *ey) 2ait) I%%% *e t-rns bac ) sharp(y) +rabs her by the sho-(ders) and p-((s her c(ose to hi,) an+er and con'-sion boi(in+ over% *e (oo s at her) 0-st inches 'ro, hi,% She is the ,ost bea-ti'-( thin+ on this earth) and he has never been ,ore po2er'-(% Not as Peter Par er) any2ay% in h-shed 2hispers%

PE$ER I' yo- ne2 the 'irst thin+ abo-t ,e) yo-.d) yo-.d%%% i' I co-(d 0-st te(( yo-%%% *e stops hi,se(') bare(y% She (oo s at hi,% M%>% Peter: 3c(oser6 Peter: She.s rea((y st-dyin+ hi,) starin+ into his eyes% Is there a '(ash o' so,ethin+ e(se there: M%>% 3cont.d6 So,ethin+.s%%% di''erent% She (eans c(oser) thin in+) tryin+ to p(ace that (oo (i e a ce(( door c(osin+% PE$ER Keep a2ay 'ro, ,e% I (ove- peop(e +et h-rt% $hat.s ho2 it 2or s% *e t-rns and h-rries o'' do2n the hospita( corridor) (eavin+ one very p-//(ed chic !LAMES shoot -p in 'ront o' herC8$ $5" IN$% PARKER LI4IN7 R55M - NI7*$ -and 2e see Peter thro-+h the,) standin+ in the (ivin+ roo, o' the Par er ho-se) 2here he has b-i(t a ra+in+ 'ire in the 'irep(ace% *e.s c(-tchin+ his cost-,e) b-nched -p in his ri+ht hand) starin+ do2n at it) tears strea in+ his chee s% *e (oo s -p) at the ,ant(e) at a pict-re o' hi,se(') 2ith 8nc(e Ben and A-nt May) ta en a co-p(e years a+o% *e stares) he c(-tches his cost-,e) his hand sha es 2ith the a+ony) the indecision) the choice% *e h-r(s his cost-,e into the 'ire% $he '(a,es R5AR) the oran+e ton+-es (ic in+ -p) cons-,in+ it) the sheer 'abric c-r(in+ -p and ,e(tin+) the stenci(ed spider o-t(ine 2arpin+ and drippin+ do2n into the '(a,es% Peter (eans a+ainst the ,ant(e) in -nend-rab(e pain% E#$% PARKER *58SE - NI7*$ 5-t in 'ront o' the Par er ho-se) a DARK !I78RE in an overcoat stands in the shado2s) 0-st o-tside the arc o' (i+ht thro2n by a street(a,p% $he Dar !i+-re stares into the (ivin+ roo, o' the Par er ho-se) its drapes 2ide open% $he !i+-re 2atches Peter) sti(( (eanin+ a+ainst the ,ant(e) the 'ire b-rnin+ bri+ht(y in the 'irep(ace% $he !i+-re 2aits% P-ts a ci+arette in its ,o-th% CLINKS open a Eippo (i+hter% S2ats a ,os;-ito% And -nscre2s the (i+htb-(b in the street(i+ht% A(( at once% behind% she.s seen be'ore% Peter.s 'ace t-rns to stee()

7-ess 2ho% In the ho-se) 2e see Peter (eave the (ivin+ roo,% IN$% PARKER *58SE - BA$*R55M - NI7*$ Peter co,es into the bathroo, o' the Par er ho-se) r-ns the taps in the sin % IN$% M%>%.S APAR$MEN$ - NI7*$ In her shabby bathroo,) a very disconcerted M%>% bends over her sin ) c-ps 2ater in her hands) sp(ashes it on her 'ace% IN$% 5SB5RN 78ES$ BA$*R55M - NI7*$ In a +-est bathroo, in Nor,an.s to2nho-se) *arry 5sborn (oo s -p 'ro, havin+ 0-st sp(ashed 2ater on his 'ace% *e (oo s into the ,irror) 2ater drippin+ 'ro, his 'eat-resIN$% N5RMAN 5SB5RN.S BA$*R55M - NI7*$ -and in his op-(ent bathroo,) Nor,an 5sborn is a(so starin+ at his recent(y sp(ashed 'ace% *e reaches 'or a to2e() covers his 'ace to dry it) p-((s the to2e( a2ay-and the 7reen 7ob(in stares bac at hi,9

5sborn S*58$S in terror) b-t stands 'ro/en in 'ront o' the ,irror% *e 2atches in *5RR5R as the 7ob(in 'ace) a+ain) tears 'ree o' his o2n) this ti,e not 0-st appearin+ in the ,irror ne1t to his o2n 'ace) b-t '(oatin+ ri+ht o-t o' the ,irror) to stare Nor,an do2n) eye to eye% 5sborn stands there) ;-iverin+) eye to ,enacin+ eye 2ith his a(ter e+o% $here is a noc door% *ARR& 35%S%6 Dad: Are yo- o ay: 5SB5RN 3bare(y ,aintainin+6 Be%%% ri+ht do2n%%% son% 5'') 2e hear *arry.s 'ootsteps as he (eaves% 5sborn t-rns bac 7REEN 75BLIN $hose -n+rate'-( brats9 5SB5RN 7o a2ay9 7REEN 75BLIN Did they thin they co-(d treat an 5sborn this 2ay: Did they drea, there 2o-(d not be he(( to pay: 5SB5RN Leave ,y son a(one9 7REEN 75BLIN to 'ace the 7ob(in% on the

Not 0-st the idiot son) 5sborn%%% the har(ot as 2e((%%% the inter(oper%%% A(( three o' the,%%% $hey ,-st be dispatched% !ro, a +reat hei+ht%%% 5sborn s-dden(y c(-tches his head) in horrib(e a+ony) tryin+ desperate(y to ,aintain sanity% 5SB5RN I a, Nor,an 5sborn) I a, Nor,an 5sborn) I a, Nor,an 5sborn%%% 7REEN 75BLIN Nor,an is 2ea %%% Nor,an.s a 2aste%%% 5sborn drops to his nees) hands to his s -((% 7REEN 75BLIN 3cont.d6 %%%AND I.M IN *IS PLACE999 C8$ $5" E#$% CEN$RAL PARK - DA& Centra( Par on a co(d day% Peter sits on a par bench) overcoat p-((ed -p a+ainst the sno2% A 'i+-re 2a( s past hi,) t-rns) sits% =e can.t see the 'i+-re) he.s 0-st o-t o' 'ra,e% A ,o,ent +oes by% Peter has a stran+e 'ee(in+% *e t-rns) (oo s at the person 2ho 0-st sat do2n ne1t to hi,% It.s 8nc(e Ben9 Peter 7ASPS% Ma es so,e inartic-(ate so-nds% 8nc(e Ben '(ashes an eni+,atic s,i(e% PE$ER &o-%%% 8NCLE BEN Re(a1) iddo% PE$ER $his isn.t possib(e%%% 8NCLE BEN It.s a drea,) Pete% &o-.re sti(( bac at ho,e% &o- 'e(( as(eep on the so'a) it.s abo-t seven in the ,ornin+% &o-.re +onna 2a e -p in a 'e2 ,in-tes% Peter 0-st stares) st-nned 'or a (on+ ,o,ent) absorbin+ this in'or,ation% And then) he (a-nches hi,se(' across the bench) +rabbin+ his -nc(e and h-++in+ hi, as ti+ht(y as he can% 8nc(e Ben (a-+hs) ta en p(easant(y by s-rprise% 8NCLE BEN 3cont.d6

=oah) 2oah%%% PE$ER 8nc(e Ben%%% 5h 7od) I., sorry) I., so sor8NCLE BEN *ey% *e p-((s bac ) sharp(y) p-ts his hands on Peter.s sho-(ders% 8NCLE BEN 3cont.d6 Don.t apo(o+i/e to ,e% My (i'e 2as ,y o2n< the day I 2as born I 2as a boo that 2as a(ready 2ritten) and ,y story ended ho2 it 2as a(2ays ,eant to end% B-t yo-) here) no2) today%%% yo-.re a 2or in pro+ress% PE$ER $here.s so ,-ch I 2ant to as yo-) so ,-ch I 2ant to te(( yo-%%% 8NCLE BEN I.ve on(y +ot a ,in-te or t2o) be'ore the doorbe(( 2a es yo- -p% PE$ER I (ove her) 8nc(e Ben% 8NCLE BEN I no2 yo- do% PE$ER A(( I.d have to do is te(( her) te(( her 2ho I rea((y a,) and she.d8NCLE BEN Be pretty easy) h-h: PE$ER S-re 2o-(d% 8NCLE BEN So 2hy don.t yo- te(( her: PE$ER Beca-se she 2o-(dn.t be sa'e a sin+(e ,in-te 'or the rest o' her (i'e% 8NCLE BEN Is that 2hy: PE$ER 3(oo s at hi,) no2s there.s ,ore6

Part(y% 8NCLE BEN She needs to (ove yo-) Pete% Not the +-y in the ,as % B-t b-rnin+ that ,as isn.t the 2ay to protect her) or yo-rse('% &o- can.t deny 2ho yo- are) b-ddy% PE$ER =ho I a,: Beca-se o' 2ho I a,) yo2ere i((ed% A-nt May a(,ost- 2ho.s ne1t: *o2 can I be s-re no one e(se 2i(( +et h-rt: 8NCLE BEN &o- can.t% It.s ca((ed (i'e% &ocan.t bet on it) yo- can.t ,ana+e it or contro( it) a(( yo- can do is (ead the one yo- 2ere ,eant to (ive% A 'aint B8EEIN7 so-nd starts in the distance% 8nc(e Ben t-rns his head at the so-nd) (oo s bac at Peter% 8NCLE BEN 3cont.d6 Kiddo) the one thin+ yo- +otta no2) the on(y thin+ yo- +otta no2) is 2ho yo- are% $he rest is 0-st noise% $he B8EEIN7 co,es a+ain) ,ore insistent% Peter t-rns) (oo s 'or it% Ne1t to the par bench) he sees the 'ront door o' A-nt May.s ho-se) standin+ ri+ht o-t here on the +rass in Centra( Par ) 2ith 0-st a 'ra,e aro-nd it% A MAN stands o-tside the door) rin+in+ the be(() visib(e thro-+h a s inny +(ass 2indo2 in the door 'ra,e% Peter t-rns) con'-sed) (oo s bac at 8nc(e Ben) b-t he.s +one) and Peter.s a(one on the bench a+ain% $he B8EEIN7 co,es once a+ain) Peter t-rns bac to (oo atC8$ $5" IN$% PARKER LI4IN7 R55M - DA& -the 'ront door o' A-nt May.s ho-se) in rea(ity) a MAN standin+ o-tside it) rin+in+ the be(() visib(e thro-+h the s inny +(ass 2indo2 beside the door% Peter sits -p) +ro++y) sti(( '-((y dressed) sa,e c(othes as (ast ni+ht% *e +oes to the 'ront door) opens it% A MAN IN A BLACK S8I$ stands in 'ront% MAN Peter Par er: PE$ER &es: =ord(ess(y) the Man in the B(ac a2ay% S-it hands Peter a crea,y 2hite enve(ope) then t-rns and 2a( s

Peter (oo s do2n at the enve(ope) c-rio-s% *e opens it) his eyes scan the pa+e) the typed (etters

disso(ve into the i,a+e) bac 2ards red (etters that spe((E#$% 5SC5RP PLAEA - DA& -5SC5RP% $he ear(y ,ornin+ is thic 2ith 'o+% =e.re hi+h above 5sCorp P(a/a) on top o' the to2erin+ b(ac 5sCorp B-i(din+) behind its red neon si+n% Do2n be(o2) 2e see three so(itary 'i+-res approachin+ the ,idd(e o' the p(a/a 'ro, three di''erent directions% $he p(a/a and the b-i(din+ are deserted at this ho-r% D5=N 5N $*E 7R58ND) Peter) 2a( in+ to2ard the p(a/a) reco+ni/es one o' the peop(e co,in+ to2ard hi,% It.s M%>% Peter (oo s to his (e't) reco+ni/es the other person% It.s *arry% $hey ,eet one another in the ,idd(e o' the p(a/a% *ARR& 3to Peter6 =e((: =hat do yo- 2ant: PE$ER Me: She sent ,e aM%>% *arry) yo-.re the one 2hoShe stops herse(' and the three o' the, stare at one another in con'-sion% B-t they aren.t (oo in+ at each other 'or (on+ be'ore they hear so,ethin+) so,ethin+ =*IS$LIN7 as it sai(s thro-+h the air% It (ands 2ith a CL8NK abo-t t2enty 'eet 'ro, the,) 2hi//in+ o-t o' the 'o+ 'ro, above% It bo-nces t2ice) hard) ro((s to a stop ri+ht in the ,idd(e o' the,% $hey a(( ta e a step bac ) a2ay 'ro,-a p-,p in bo,b% *ARR& 5h) 7od%%% $hey a(( (eap bac as the bo,b E#PL5DES%

*arry) Peter and M%>% each hit the +ro-nd 2ith a CR8NC*) st-nned by the 'orce o' the bo,b% S-dden(y) the =*IS$LIN7 so-nd co,es a+ain% Another p-,p in bo,b drops ine1p(icab(y o-t o' the 'o+) (ands to one side o' the,% $hey (eap to their 'eet and ta e o'' as the second bo,b E#PL5DES behind the,% $hey t-rn in another direction) b-t a third p-,p in bo,b $*8NKS to the +ro-nd in 'ront o' the,% $hey chan+e directions a+ain) sca,perin+ a2ay 0-st be'ore the third bo,b E#PL5DES% *ARR& 3cont.d6 $his 2ay9 Peter and M%>% 'o((o2 hi,) racin+ to2ard the t2in +(ass e(evators that r-n -p the side o' the 5sCorp B-i(din+% *arry 2hips a set o' eys 'ro, his poc et) '-,b(es to ey the e(evator%

Another bo,b drops behind the,% $he doors =*55S* open% *arry and M%>% race into the e(evator) b-t Peter stops in the door2ay) a (oo o' terror on his 'ace% *e shoots a hand to the bac o' his nec % PE$ER Dan+er9 M%>% =hat:9 PE$ER $he e(evator9 Don.t +o in it9 *ARR& !ine) stay do2n here and die9 *e 0abs one o' the t2o si(ver b-ttons) the one 2ith a bi+ arro2 pointin+ -p% Peter ta es a step bac ) the doors be+in to c(ose% M%>% PE$ER9 B-t the doors c(ose% Behind Peter) another bo,b E#PL5DES) h-r(in+ hi, to the +ro-nd% =e drop do2n to hi,) and as 2e do the ca,era passes thro-+h the 2a(( ne1t to the e(evator% 5N $*E 5$*ER SIDE 5! $*E =ALL) =e ,ove in to2ard an odd- shaped ob0ect) (ocated ri+ht at the base o' e(evator ,achinery) near the +iant 2hee( that is r-nnin+ the e(evator cab(es% It.s a bo,b% P-,p in shaped% =e hear a C*8NK and the 2hee( starts to t-rn) dra2in+ in the cab(e% $he e(evator bo1 be+ins to rise% IN$% 7LASS ELE4A$5R - DA& In the ascendin+ e(evator) M%>% t-rns to the 2indo2) sees Peter stranded in the p(a/a be(o2) a,id the s,o e o' the e1p(osions% M%>% PE$ER99 E#$% 5SC5RP PLAEA - DA& Peter stands in the p(a/a) 2atchin+ as the e(evator s(o2(y rises% Instinctive(y) his hands dart -p to his shirt) p-(( it open) he 'ee(s -nderneath 'or his cost-,e% B-t o' co-rse) it isn.t there% *e b-rned it% Peter t-rns) thin s (i e cra/y% In the distance) SIRENS start to so-nd) PE5PLE start to e,er+e 'ro, the 'o+) havin+ heard the e1p(osions%

Peter (oo s aro-nd 'rantica((y% *e sees so,ethin+) his eyes (i+ht -p% Across the street) a si+n in the 2indo2 o' a so-venir shop on Broad2ay says "*ALL5=EEN C5S$8MES *AL! 5!!%" *e ta es o'') across the street) and is near(y hit by a car) racin+ to2ard hi,% $he car stops) b-t Peter eeps +oin+% $he DRI4ER +ets o-t- a MAN IN A DARK 54ERC5A$% A hand sna es o-t 'ro, -nderneath the overcoat) SLAMS the car door% B-t it isn.t a hand) it.s a ,eta( tentac(e 2ith a c(a2 at the end% IN$% S584ENIR S*5P - DA& Peter races past a rac o' *a((o2een cost-,es% $here.s a c(o2n) a co2boy) Mr% Potato *ead) =o(verine- ah hah9 *e yan s a Spider- Man cost-,e o'' the rac % *e t-+s at the s(eeves) chec s o-t the crotch% A$ $*E RE7IS$ER) A t2enty do((ar bi(( (ands on the co-nter% Peter stands in 'ront o' the CLERK) no2 in the Spider,an cost-,e% SPIDER-MAN Can I 2ear it ho,e: IN$% ELE4A$5R - DA& $he +(ass e(evator is sti(( risin+) -p above the city) and -p) and -p) to2ard the roo' o' the b-i(din+% M%>% (oo s at *arry) 2ho stares bac *ARR& =ho is he: M%>% =hat: *ARR& &o-.re in (ove 2ith so,eone e(se% I.ve +ot a ri+ht to no2 2ho it is% M%>% *arry) 'or 7od.s*ARR& 3scary *arry6 =*5 IS *E: *e reaches o-t and p-shes the S$5P b-tton% $he e(evator 0er s to a ha(t) si1ty '(oors above the street% IN$% ELE4A$5R MAC*INER& - DA& Inside the e(evator ,achinery) the bi+ +reasy 2hee( stops t-rnin+) the cab(e stretches ti+ht% Ne1t to it) the red (i+ht on the p-,p in bo,b contin-es to '(ash% at her%

E#$% SIDE 5! $*E B8ILDIN7 - DA& =e.re o-tside the +(ass e(evator) (oo in+ in at *arry and M%>%) 2ho are ar+-in+% !ro, o'' in the distance) 2e hear a hi+h- pitched =*ININ7 that.s +ro2in+ c(oser% *arry and M%>% hear it and t-rn sharp(y% =e 'o((o2 their +a/e% $he 'o+) thic as ca e 'rostin+) s-dden(y parts) bi((o2in+ aro-nd the 7reen 7ob(in) atop his 7(ider9 *e ban s) co,es to an i,possib(e stop 0-st o-tside the e(evator% *arry and M%>% stare in shoc and horror% $he 7ob(in CACKLES) p-((s a re,ote contro( device 'ro, his 7ob(in ba+) and '(ips -p the cover% A red b-tton '(ashes on its pane(% 7REEN 75BLIN 7oodbye) chi(dren9 $i,e to thro2 yo- 'ro, the nest9 *e presses the b-tton% IN$% ELE4A$5R MAC*INER& - DA& Inside the e(evator ,achinery the '(ashin+ red (i+ht on the bo,b +oes steady) it BEEPS$he cab(e SNAPS) +oes 2hir(in+ and SNAPPIN7 -p the sha't (i e a 2i(d sna e% IN$% ELE4A$5R - DA& SNAP9 $hro-+h the +(ass 2a(() *arry and M%>% can see ri+ht into the e(evator sha't) 2here the severed cab(e races past the,) -ntetherin+ the e(evator% $hey SCREAM-han+ there 'or a second (i e =i(e E% Coyote-and then p(-,,et% $he 7ob(in SCREEC*ES 2ith +(ee% E#$% 5SC5RP B8ILDIN7 - DA& SMACK9 Spider- Man s2in+s into 'ra,e) sp(ats to a stop on the side o' the 5sCorp B-i(din+) near the base% *e (oo s -p) sees the e(evator 'a((in+ to2ard hi,% *e cra2(s to the ,achinery pane( atop the e(evator 2or s% SMAS*9 *e dives in thro-+h the +(ass) reaches into the ,achine roo,) +rabs ho(d o' the (oose cab(e as it '(ies by9 *e 7R5ANS in pain) 2raps both hands aro-nd the cab(e and 'a((s bac 2hi//es thro-+h his hands9 to the +ro-nd) b-t sti(( it

$he 7ob(in R5ARS do2n the b-i(din+) atop his 7(ider) SCREAMIN7 in an+er% 7REEN 75BLIN N59

IN$% ELE4A$5R - DA& Sti(() the e(evator p(-,,ets9 *arry and M%>% have +one 2ei+ht(ess) they.re p(astered a+ainst the cei(in+9 E#$% 5SC5RP B8ILDIN7 - DA& Do2n be(o2) Spider- Man s;-ee/es the cab(e as hard as he can% B(ood seeps thro-+h his +(oves% *e.s in a+ony9 $he 7ob(in opens his 7ob(in ba+) re(easin+ ha(' a do/en s,a(( b(ac $hey s2ar, over Spider- Man) B8EEIN7 and BEEPIN7 horrib(y% 2in+ed ob0ects into the air%

Spider- Man is 'orced to ta e one hand o'' the cab(e) to try and s2at the, a2ay% *e reaches o-t and snares one) b-t he i,,ediate(y re(eases it) S*58$IN7 in pain% 7REEN 75BLIN Do yo- (i e ,y ra/or bats: $he ra/or bats s2ar, aro-nd Spider- Man) s(ashin+ his s in and cost-,e% B-t he is 'orced to p-t both hands bac on the cab(e) to try and abate the e(evator.s dead(y p(-n+e9 *e (oo s -p- it.s on(y a h-ndred 'eet above) and sti(( droppin+9 7REEN 75BLIN 3cont.d6 =o-(d yo- (i e to ,eet the rest:9 *e t-rns the 7ob(in Ba+ inside o-t) re(easin+ another ha(' do/en% Spider- Man is s-rro-nded) and s(o2(y bein+ c-t to ribbons% Desperate) he (eaps -p into the s y) thro-+h the b(ac s2ar, that is s(o2(y i((in+ hi,% SPIDER-MAN *an+ on) han+ on99 *e s;-ee/es even ti+hter% $he e(evator approaches at brea nec speed9

$he 7ob(in reaches into his ba+ a+ain) p-((s o-t a p-,p in bo,b% *e p-((s a hand bac ) to thro2 the bo,b% $he hand starts 'or2ard-b-t is stopped in ,id- air) +rabbed-B& $*E CLA=ED END 5! A ME$AL $EN$ACLE9 A second c(a2 sei/es the 7ob(in.s other hand) a third c(a2 +rabs the p-,p in bo,b and h-r(s it h-ndreds o' 'eet into the air) a 'o-rth c(a2 +rabs the 7ob(in aro-nd the nec % Spider- Man (oo s -p) a,a/ed% D5C 5CK 396 thro2s open his h-,an ar,s) sendin+ the overcoat '(yin+ o'' o' his sho-(ders) 0-st as the bo,b he h-r(ed E#PL5DES in the s y above) 2ashin+ hi, over 2ith bri((iant (i+ht and $*8NDER58S N5ISE9 Spider- Man +ri,aces) ti+htens his +rip on the cab(e one 'ina( ti,eIN$% ELE4A$5R MAC*INER& - DA&

-the +reased) spinnin+ 2hee( s(o2s) s(o2sIN$% ELE4A$5R - DA& -and the e(evator 7R5ANS to a ha(t) B8MPIN7 to the +ro-nd% *arry and M%>% t-,b(e to the '(oor o' the e(evator) the doors DIN7 open on 5sCorp P(a/a revea(in+E#$% 5SC5RP B8ILDIN7 - DA& -the on+oin+ 'i+ht) 2hich inc(-des) 3D6 the 7ob(in) he(d a(o't by 3@6 Doc 5c .s tentac(es) and 3?6 Spider- Man) 2rithin+ in pain on the +ro-nd) his hands torn to shreds by the e(evator cab(e% D5C 5CK $ho-+ht yo-.d never see ,e a+ain) didn.t yo- 5sborn:9 *arry t-rns) eyes 2ide) to (oo at Doc 5c % =ho) ,e:

Spider- Man t-rns) eyes 2ide) and (oo s at *arry% =ho) hi,: D5C 5CK I.ve a2aited this ,o,ent) Nor,an9 *arry and Spider- Man both t-rn) eyes 2ide) and (oo at the 7ob(in% =ho) *IM:9

8sin+ a 'ree tentac(e) Doc 5c reaches -p and RIPS the he(,et 'ro, the 7reen 7ob(in.s head) revea(in+ Nor,an 5sborn.s ,aniaca( 'ace -nderneath% Spider- Man) *arry) and M%>% are) 2e(() yo5sborn SCREAMS) 2eird(y) thrashes% P5=9 Doc 5c CRACKS 5sborn across the 'ace) sendin+ hi, CRAS*IN7 into an -nbro en +(ass 2a((% *e sa+s to the +ro-nd) 2ea ened% As *arry and M%>% race o-t o' the e(evator) Doc 5c presses in 'or the ;-ic (y) tentac(es 2avin+ over his head% D5C 5CK 3cont.d6 &o- sto(e ,y 2or 9 &o- sto(e ,y (i'e9 And no2 I., +oin+ to ta e yo-rs9 *e pic s -p a ch-n o' debrisi((% *e strides 'or2ard no2% S-rprised%

D5C 5CK 3cont.d6 =ith ,y hands9 -a h-+e potted p(ant% D5C 5CK 3cont.d6 $*ESE hands9 $hese ar,s9 -and t2o enor,o-s ch-n s o' r-bb(e% D5C 5CK 3cont.d6

$*E ARMS $*A$ MADE ME A M5NS$ER9 *e raises it a(( -p over his head) to brin+ it crashin+ do2n on 5sborn% Spider- Man) ro((in+ on the +ro-nd) ho(din+ his b(oodied hands in pain) 2atches 2ea (y% *ARR& Stop hi,9 P(ease9 Spider- Man t-rns to2ards *arry 2ho is beseechin+ hi,% 7REEN 75BLIN I.(( i(( yo-9 *ARR& *e.s ,y 'ather%%% *ey ,an) Spidey can re(ate to that% *e ro((s over) '(ips his 2rists -p) sends o-t t2o heavy strands o' 2ebbin+-2hich $*=IP $*=IP $*=IP aro-nd the tentac(es) bindin+ the, to+ether% Doc 5c RA7ES) he (oses his +rip on the ch-n s o' +(ass and ce,ent) +ivin+ 5sborn the sp(itsecond he needs to ro(( o-t o' the 2ay as the CRAS* to the +ro-nd aro-nd hi,% D5C 5CK N555599 *e has one tentac(e sti(( 'ree) and he -ses it to SMACK Spidey across the chest% Spider- Man (eaps to his 'eet) 'i+hts bac % As Spider- Man and Doc 5c ,i1 it -p) Nor,an 5sborn) -nnoticed 'or the ,o,ent) ro((s 'ree) pic s -p his he(,et) and s(ips it bac over his head% No2 the 7ob(in a+ain) he raises his 2rist) p-nches a b-tton on a s,a(( to-ch pane( there% A short distance a2ay) the 7(ider responds to the re,ote co,,and) spinnin+ aro-nd and headin+ bac 'or hi,% Spider- Man +ets ho(d o' the (ast o' 5c .s tentac(es) 2ebs it -p 2ith the other three% Doc 5c SCREAMS and str-++(es) b-t the 2ebbin+ ho(ds% $hat st-'' is stron+% As the 7(ider scoots past the 7ob(in) he (eaps neat(y -pon it) a rider 0-,pin+ onto a r-na2ay horse) and barre(s strai+ht to2ard-M%>%9 *e scoops her -p as he R5ARS past) brin+in+ her aboard the 7(ider% M%>% SCREAMS% SPIDER-MAN M%>%9999 $he 7ob(in t2itches his head) the 7(ider spins neat(y and acce(erates) o-t into the e,pty s y% Spider- Man doesn.t hesitate) he shoots a 2eb o-t at the departin+ 7(ider% It stri es the -nderside o' the 7(ider) spins o-t 'or a ,o,ent) the (ine stretches ta-t-and Spider- Man is 0er ed o'' the +ro-nd% 54ER $*E CI$&)

$he 7ob(in sho-ts do2n at Spider- Man as he dan+(es 'ro, the 2eb% 7REEN 75BLIN LE$.S SEE *5= $*IS SPIDER !LIES9 E#$% 5SC5RP B8ILDIN7 - DA& RIP9 Doc 5c 'ina((y tears the 2ebbin+ 2hich binds his tentac(es to+ether) 'reein+ hi,se('% E#$% MID-AIR - DA& $he 7ob(in pi(ots the 7(ider strai+ht -p into the air) thro-+h the thic 'o+%

5n board the 7(ider) M%>%) thrashin+) ,ana+es to +et her hands aro-nd the 7ob(in.s throat% *e C*5KES) '(e1es his hand) and a need(e pops o-t 'ro, a secret pad in his pa(,% *e reaches bac and CLAMPS his pa(, aro-nd her nec ) piercin+ her s in 2ith the need(e% M%>% S*RIEKS) her body +oes (i,p% She starts to 'a(( o'' the 7(ider) b-t he +rabs her by one hand) heaves her bac aboard% 7REEN 75BLIN Don.t p(ay yo-r death scene yet) ,y (itt(e actress9 Let.s stop so,e2here yo-.(( have an a-dience9 Be(o2) Spider- Man is cra2(in+ -p the 2eb strand to2ard the,% $he 7ob(in sees hi,% *e p-((s o-t a boo,eran+ and SLICES ri+ht thro-+h the 2eb strand% IN MID-AIR) Spider- Man 'a((s) 'a((s) t-,b(es thro-+h the s y over Manhattan) the +ro-nd racin+ -p at hi,) 'ast and inevitab(e% *e stretches o-t his ar,s) shoots o-t 2ebs) one a'ter the other) tryin+ to catch the, on anythin+% !ina((ySPLA$9 A 2eb $*=IP-$*=IP stic s to the s e(eton o' an -nder- constr-ction s yscraper% -it ti+htens) chan+es the an+(e o' his 'a(() t-rns it into a s2in+) he soars thro-+h space) '(ips over t2iceE#$% SK&SCRAPER SKELE$5N - DA& -and (ands on the top +irder o' the s yscraper) poised on an I-bea, bet2een t2o C5NS$R8C$I5N =5RKERS% $he =or ers 'ree/e) starin+ at hi,% Spidey says nothin+) 0-st st-dies the hori/on% A 'e2 b(oc s a2ay) over the East River) he sees a s2ir( o' he(icopters) c(-sterin+ aro-nd so,ethin+% Spidey shoots a 2eb in that direction and (eaps o-t) into space) (eavin+ the Constr-ction =or ers behind) sti(( standin+ on the bea,% $hey t-rn) (oo at each other)

-and brea

into SCREAMS o' e1cite,ent% C5NS$R8C$I5N =5RKERS ALL RIIIII7*$999

E#$% MID$5=N S$REE$ - DA& *arry 5sborn and Doc 5c are racin+ do2n the street near the 5sCorp B-i(din+% Broad2ay is cho ed 2ith PE5PLE no2) ,ost o' the, r-nnin+ in one direction) to2ard the river% *arry ta es o'') into the cro2d% Doc 5c stops) (oo s -p into the s y in the distance 2here everyone is pointin+% *e sees the po(ice s2ar,in+ in that direction) SIRENS b(arin+ and he(icopters =*IRRIN7 to2ard the scene% D5C 5CK No9 Don.t arrest hi,9 *e points a(( 'o-r tentac(es do2n) strai+ht to2ard the pave,ent% $hey sti''en) e(on+ate) beco,e sti(ts that (i't his body -p) hi+h above the cro2d% D5C 5CK 3cont.d6 LE$ *IM DIE9 *e t-rns aro-nd and ,oves on his tentac(eCsti(ts) sc-rryin+ (i e a crab above the 7A=KIN7 cro2d) +ivin+ the, so,ethin+ ne2 to screa, abo-t% *is S*58$S can be heard over the,% D5C 5CK 3cont.d6 I M8S$ *A4E M& RE4EN7E999 *e (-rches a2ay do2n Broad2ay) headed to2ardC8$ $5" E#$% BR55KL&N BRID7E - DA& -the Broo (yn Brid+e) the si1 tho-sand 'oot s-spension brid+e that (in s Manhattan to Broo (yn% Its t2in to2ers stand both 'eet b-ried in the East River) ,i(es o' s-spension cab(es shinin+ (i e prison bars in the ,ornin+ s-n(i+ht that.s brea in+ thro-+h the 'o+% It.s r-sh ho-r no2 and the brid+e is b-sy- e1tre,e(y b-sy% In 'act) cars are stopped) SIRENS are =AILIN7) ha(' a do/en ne2s and po(ice he(icopters are circ(in+ over the Manhattan to2erA$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER -2here the 7ob(in stands de'iant) SCREAMIN7 A *5RRIBLE LA87* -p to the heavens% M%>% is at his 'eet) conscio-s b-t dr-++ed) -nab(e to stand% $he po(ice he(icopters bar orders at the,) b-t 2ith the sirens) the horns) the R5ARIN7 prop 2ash) the *5=LIN7 2ind- it.s a(( a dea'enin+ chaos% D5=N BEL5=) Spider- Man s2in+s into vie2 and (ands) hands and 'eet c(in+in+ to the vertica( hi+h tension 2ires%

$*=IP9 *e shoots o-t a 2eb) it stic s to one o' the dra,atic -ps2eep cab(es that (eads to the top o' the Manhattan to2er% Spider- Man s2in+s o-t and do2n) (andin+ on the cab(e) sti(( si(ent% *e be+ins to cra2( -p its thirty de+ree an+(e) c(i,bin+ 'ast) inh-,an- spider- (i e% *e sca,pers -p the 2ires) +oin+ so 'ast and so s-re(y) ,ovin+ as 2e.ve never seen hi, ,ove be'ore) a spider ni,b(y p(-c in+ its 2ay across its 2eb to2ards its prey% $he he(icopters s2oop to2ard hi,) b-t the ne2s ca,eras +o batshit) this is the best and (on+est (oo at Spider- Man anyone.s ever had- (i'e 2i(( never be the sa,e a'ter this% A$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER) $he 7ob(in sees Spider- Man.s ine1orab(e approach% *e 2atches) hands on his hips% 7REEN 75BLIN =*& L55K9 I$.S &58R B5&!RIEND) C5MIN7 $5 DIE =I$* &589 M%>% cra2(s to the ed+e and (oo s do2n% $*R587* *ER E&ES) =e see Spider- Man co,in+ -p the cab(es) b-t the i,a+e is b(-rry) distorted) ho2 she ,-st 'ee(% 5N $*E CABLES) Spider- Man is nearin+ the top 2hen he sees so,ethin+ ro((in+ strai+ht at hi,% It b-,ps -p a+ainst his hand) stops% It.s a p-,p in bo,b% *e reaches 'or it) b-t too (ate) it DE$5NA$ES) re(easin+ a c(o-dy vapor% *e bac s a2ay and cra2(in+% A$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER) Spider- Man s2in+s hi,se(' -p) into the air) ri+ht over M%>%) and (ands bet2een her and the 7ob(in% 7REEN 75BLIN *APP& $5 SEE &589 Spider- Man (oo s at hi,) b(in s) to-ches his eyes% $*R587* SPIDER-MAN.S E&ES =e see not one) b-t near(y a do/en 7reen 7ob(ins) a(( aro-nd -s% 7REEN 75BLIN *5= AB58$ SEEIN7 ME:9 A$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER Spidey (-n+es) b-t at the 2ron+ 7ob(in% $he rea( 7ob(in co-nters 2ith a b(o2 that sends SpiderMan 'a((in+ to his nees% EIP9 $he 7ob(in '(e1es his hand) ,a es the need(e point pop o-t o' his pa(, a+ain% eeps

M%>% =atch o-t9 Don.t (et hi,$oo (ate% $he 7ob(in SLAPS his hand do2n on Spider- Man.s thi+h and the need(e point does its 2or % $he 7ob(in yan s it o-t) +rinnin+ in de(i+ht% Above) the he(icopters descend even c(oser) the P5LICEMEN aboard SCREAMIN7 their threats and 2arnin+s ever (o-der% D5=N 5N $*E BRID7E) A ta1i SCREEC*ES to a ha(t in the ,idd(e o' the dense tra''ic) *arry 5sborn (eaps o-t% *e (oo s -p) sees the batt(e ra+in+ overhead% $he cro2d SCREAMS near the entrance to the brid+e% *arry 2hir(s-and sees D5C 5CK co,in+ to2ard hi, on his tentac(e (e+s% 5N A CABLE) A c(a2 +rabs ho(d o' a hi+h tension cab(e) =*IRS sh-t 2ith a ,echanica( h-,% A second c(a2 +rabs ho(d o' the cab(e) c(oses aro-nd it% No2) (oc ed onto the cab(e 2ith those t2o c(a2s) Doc 5c starts to p-(( hi,se(' -p) -sin+ the other t2o c(a2s) ar, over ar,) to2ard the top o' the Manhattan $o2er% *e (oo s ind o' (i e a caterpi((ar s2i,,in+) i' yo- can pict-re that% It.s coo(% Rea((y% 3And none too cheap%6 A$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER) $he 7ob(in is in contro(% Cac (in+ ,ad(y) he -pends his 7ob(in Ba+) d-,pin+ do/ens o' p-,p in bo,bs on top o' the to2er% *e r-ns 'ro, one to the other) p-((in+ the tops o''% M%>% +rabs ho(d o' one o' the p-,p in bo,bs% She.s abo-t to thro2 it over the ed+e 2hen she +ets another idea% She dra+s herse(' to2ard the 7ob(in 7(ider ahead% Behind her) Spider- Man p-((s hi,se(' to his 'eet) 'a((s) no ba(ance 2hatsoever% *e shr-+s) r-bs his eyes) tryin+ desperate(y to c(ear hi,se('% M%>% stic s the p-,p in bo,b to the t-rbine en+ine-the 'irst bo,bs be+in to !LAS*-BAN7-the 7ob(in (eaps aboard his 7(ider) hits the acce(eration-and the t-rbine en+ine E#PL5DES in a b(a/e o' 2hite) thro2in+ the 7ob(in o'' it% Spider- Man) sti(( on his nees) +rabs the 7ob(in) 2ho is st-nned by the b(ast) 0-st as Doc 5c arrives atop the Manhattan to2er o' the brid+e% D5C 5CK KILL *IM9 KILL *IM9 Spidey) ob(i+in+) +rabs the 7ob(in by one ar, and one (e+ and h-r(s hi, 'ar o-t into the air%

D5C 5CK 3cont.d6 DIE) 5SB5RN) DIE) DIE999 B-t Spidey) in case yo- don.t no2) i((s no ,an) and certain(y not the 'ather o' his best 'riend% =hi(e the 7ob(in sai(s thro-+h the air) Spidey raises both 2rists and shoots o-t heavy 2ebs in the sa,e direction% 5N $*E CABLES) $he 7reen 7ob(in hits the brid+e.s vertica( hi+h tension cab(es and is 2ebbed into p(ace ri+ht there) a '(y trapped in the center o' a per'ect sy,,etric spider 2eb% *e SCREAMS in 'r-stration) a(ive and ic in+) b-t prisoner% A$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER) Doc 5c is o-tra+ed% D5C 5CK N555999 $he rest o' the p-,p in bo,bs e1p(ode% 5c is noc ed to his nees) Spidey is sha en% -and M%>% is noc ed ri+ht o'' the to2er9 SPIDER-MAN M%>%99 *e (-n+es to the ed+e o' the to2er) dan+(in+ hi,se(') and shoots o-t his 2eb at M%>%) 'a((in+ to certain death% IN MID-AIR $he 2eb catches M%>% by the an (e) she 7R5ANS as it stops her 'a(() b-tA$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER) -Spider- Man is s(ippin+) p-((ed to2ard the ed+e by her 2ei+ht) nothin+ 'or hi, to ho(d on to% >-st be'ore he +oes over he (oo s -p) b-t there is no he(p there) 0-st those he(icopters overhead) he.s a(,ost over the ed+e no2) those he(icopters) those he(icopters) he ro((s onto his bac -he s(ips over the ed+e) he 'a((sIN MID-AIR) -M%>% SCREAMS as she p(-n+es to2ard the 2ater-Spider- Man shoots o-t a 2eb) as-the 2ater roc ets -p to2ard the,-the 2eb SMACKS into the -ndercarria+e o' the he(icopterIN $*E *ELIC5P$ER) $he PIL5$ 0er s as the added 2ei+ht p-((s hi, do2n% C5-PIL5$

P8LL 8P) P8LL 8P) P8LL 8P999 $he Pi(ot yan s bac IN MID-AIR) -and M%>% and Spider- Man are 0er ed -p2ards as the he(icopter p-((s -p) -p and a2ay 'ro, the brid+e) brin+in+ the, 2ith it as they dan+(e 'ro, the -ndercarria+e by the stren+th o' his 2ebbin+% 8sin+ the (ast o' his stren+th) Spider- Man p-((s M%>% -p to his (eve( and ho(ds her) on(y one ar, 2rapped aro-nd her) the other ho(din+ onto the 2eb% $hey soar over the 2ater 2hich spar (es (i e dia,onds no2) the ,ornin+ s-n(i+ht has b(asted a2ay the (ast traces o' the 'o+% M%>% (oo s into Spider- Man.s eyes% She reaches -p and raises the botto, o' his ,as ) revea(in+ on(y his (ips% M%>% Kiss ,e no2% Don.t have to te(( hi, t2ice% $heir ,o-ths 'a(( to+ether and devo-r one another% A$5P $*E MAN*A$$AN $5=ER) Doc 5c stands a(one on the brid+e to2er) 2atchin+ as P5LICEMEN c(i,b the hi+h tension cab(es) approachin+ the 7reen 7ob(in) to ta e hi, into c-stody% D5C 5CK *e.s a(ive9 &o- 'oo() yo- (e't hi, a(ive9 Spider- Man9 Doctor 5ctop-s stri es a pose o' operatic an+-ish- head thro2n bac ) tentac(es 2avin+) SNAPPIN7 in the air aro-nd hi,% *e SCREAMS to the heavens% D5C 5CK 3cont.d6 SPIDER-MAN9 D5=N 5N $*E BRID7E) *arry 5sborn sta++ers to the rai(in+ o' the brid+e% Loo in+ o-t over the river) he sees Spider- Man) dan+(in+ 'ro, the he(icopter as it soars o'') (oc ed in a passionate iss 2ith the 2o,an *arry (oves% Ra+e is born% Per,anent) ,-rdero-s ra+e% *arry 5sborn stri es a pose o' operatic an+-ish- head thro2n bac ) 'ists sha in+ at the heavens and SCREAMS" *ARR& SPIIIIIIDERRRMAAAAAANNNN9999 IN MID-AIR) M%>% and Spider- Man spin and p-(( o-t o' the iss% She opens her eyeson the stic -

-and he.s +one) s2in+in+ a2ay into the canyon o' s yscrapers% She ,-st be rea((y) desperate(y in (ove"

M%>% %%%%SPIDER-MAN%%%% DISS5L4E $5" E#$% C58R$*58SE - DA& Letters are etched in stone" NE= &5RK S$A$E S8PREME C58R$ *arry 5sborn) dressed in a s-it) 2a( s s(o2(y do2n the 'ront steps o' the co-rtho-se do2nto2n) '(an ed by LA=&ERS% It.s a +ri, day% *e nods) the La2yers o''er s-pportive pats on the bac ) 2e catch a 'e2 stray 2ords o' hope- "paro(e)" "thirty years)" "visitation)" that sort o' thin+) b-t they.re ,ore than o-t2ei+hed by the ter, "(i'e in prison)" 2hich 2e a(so pic -p% Peter) a(so dressed in a s-it) dra2s c(ose) ta es a deep breath% *ere +oes a to-+h ,o,ent% *arry sees hi,) ho(ds o-t a hand to sha e% 7ood thin+ it.s sti(( 2inter) Peter can 2ear +(oves to cover his hands) 2hich 2ere c-t to ribbons by the speedin+ e(evator cab(e% *ARR& $han s 'or everythin+) Peter% *arry ta es Peter.s hand) sha es it hard% Peter 2ants to cry o-t) b-t ,ana+es to 0-st 2ince% *ARR& 3cont.d6 *ard(y%%% 7-ess I can.t b(a,e yo-% Peter thro2s his ar,s aro-nd hi, and they ho(d on ti+ht% *ARR& 3cont.d6 I don.t have a 'ather any ,ore% No2 it 'ee(s (i e I never did% PE$ER I., so sorry% *ARR& Me too) B-ddy% Me too% PE$ER =e.re sort o' orphans) aren.t 2e: =hat do 2e have (e't: *ARR& Not ,-ch% *arry p-((s a2ay and (oo s Peter in the eye% *ARR& 3cont.d6 >-st a best 'riend% *e e,braces Peter a+ain% Peter c(oses his eyes% &o- 2ant irony: =e +ot irony here% A'ter a ,o,ent) *arry is p-((ed a2ay) dra2n into another e,brace by so,e RELA$I4ES% Peter t-rns-

-and is 'ace to 'ace 2ith M%>% She (oo s at hi,) doesn.t e,braces hi,% M%>% 8s too: !riends a+ain:

no2 2hat to say% Neither does he% She

5ver her sho-(der) Peter.s eyes are 'i((ed 2ith e,otion) he.s torn in ha('% A 45ICE co,es over% Spider- Man.s voice" SPIDER-MAN 34%5%6 $e(( her% $e(( her% Peter and M%>% ho(d their p(ace% 4ery s(o2(y) the i,a+e be+ins to disso(ve) a b(-r o' e,otion co,in+ over their 'aces% SPIDER-MAN 34%5%6 3cont.d6 *o2 easy it 2o-(d be%%% 0-st open ,y ,o-th and say the three 2ords that 2o-(d ,a e ,e (ove ,e) (ove ,e) Peter Par er) the s inny id ne1t door 2ho.s a(2ays (oved her% And a(2ays 2i((% $e(( her% $he b(-r o' ,otion beco,es 2ider) 2e reco+ni/e it as the s yscrapers o' Manhattan 2hi//in+ by -sDISS5L4E $5" E#$% 54ER $*E CI$& -2e s2in+ thro-+h the s y) 'irst- person Spidey- ca, a+ain) r-shin+ past the b-i(din+s in +reat) +race'-( arcs% SPIDER-MAN B-t I can.t% I 2i(( never 'or+et these 2ords" "=ith +reat po2er co,es +reat responsibi(ity%" 5-r +(oved hand rises -p into 'ra,e) shoots o-t a 2eb) 2e s2in+ o'' in another direction% It.s e1hi(aratin+) di//yin+) 2e see on(y the b-i(din+s racin+ by) b-t not o-rse(ves% SPIDER-MAN 34%5%6 3cont.d6 Beca-se I (ove her) she 2i(( never) ever no2% 8p ahead) an enor,o-s ,irrored b-i(din+ (oo,s -p in 'ront o' -s) ,aybe it.s the one Sa-( Bass -sed in the openin+ o' "North By North2est%" SPIDER-MAN 34%5%6 3cont.d6 $his is ,y +i't% =e.re approachin+ the b-i(din+ 'ast) 'ast) 2e see o-rse(ves no2) o-r re'(ection) +ro2in+ bi++er) bi++er) bi++er) h-+e% SPIDER-MAN 34%5%6 3cont.d6

$his is ,y c-rse% =e SPLA$ -p a+ainst the side o' the ,irrored b-i(din+) and 'ina((y see o-rse(ves as a 'i+-re) b(ood red and ,idni+ht b(-e 0-st han+in+ there in the ca,era (ens% SPIDER-MAN 34%5%6 3cont.d6 I a, Spider- Man% C8$ $5 BLACK%