Remember when you said you'd lend me your rifle if I could find someone to build a gun for me? I think I found a guy. Name's Norman Osborn. I don't exactly know him, but he's worked with the boss before, so I know he's good for it. Says he'd like a look at the gun before he takes a crack at it.
The contract with City Hall's different. This is a personal job. [ He pauses, and it feels like a low blow, but...] If you really want to help, you can start with telling me why I need to watch out for Osborn.
[ Considering the situation, his mind skips ahead to the worst possible thing she could be hinting at, and he feels a little sick. ]
You're not saying he - [ Shit, he's not a child counselor or experienced with any of this shit, how the fuck is he supposed to ask this? ] - did something to you, right?
[ The strained, slightly repulsed tone of his voice is an obvious indication of his train of thought, even if his words don't reflect it. ]
[ she's slow on the uptake sometimes, this one, but after a few beats, she seems to understand, flustered and a little rushed to clarify: ]
Oh my God, no-- I mean, yes, but not. That. He-- I. Was a spy. For Tony Stark. And Mr. Osborn found out so. H-He blackmailed my best friend into... Uh. T... T--
[ It's a struggle, for a moment, to decide between relief and outrage. He settles on the latter, eventually, though it's evident he's only keeping himself from shouting by supreme force of will. ]
What the fuck? [ Okay, that comes out as a bit of a snarl. ] Why hasn't anyone brought him in?
I-I don't know-- maybe, something with the universes, o-or politics, I-- [ she's been ported in and out so much over the past for years, missed so much time that she can't be sure, but ] But you can't-- tell anyone, okay? Please. Not a lot of people from back then are still here, a-and...
The version of my friend. The one that's here now. I-I don't think he remembers that.
[ He's silent for a long moment, chewing it over in his head. He's had plenty of reason to get riled up since getting here, but this is a little different. ]
I won't. [ Reluctant assent. Then, quietly: ] Does Mitch know?
[ Just great. He scuffs a hand through his hair, sighing. Feels like he's got more and more secrets to keep track of, these days. ]
He's worked with Osborn on a project for City Hall, but I don't know how well he actually knows the guy. [ He pauses. ] I don't trust anyone who'd do that to couple of kids.
[ Sure, she said she was a spy at the time, but she's still a kid. ]
Honestly? I just wish I knew before I contracted the guy to make weapons for City Hall. [ But Mitch had recommended him. Though Mitch, he's starting to realize, isn't the most reliable of guys himself, most days. ]
Hey, don't sweat it. That kinda stuff's supposed to be my outlook, you know?
But if you know any other guys with a bad record-- give me a heads up, all right? [ More seriously: ] You're a member of X-Factor, so let's just call it part of the job. Makes it easier for me to stay on top of shit. So you tell me when someone's bad news and I'll try to make sure they don't get a chance to pull anything. Deal?
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voicemail;
Remember when you said you'd lend me your rifle if I could find someone to build a gun for me? I think I found a guy. Name's Norman Osborn. I don't exactly know him, but he's worked with the boss before, so I know he's good for it. Says he'd like a look at the gun before he takes a crack at it.
Let me know if you're still up for it.
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Um-- hello? Mr. B? I-It's Abby.
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Hey, kid. You get my message?
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[ a long, awkward beat. then finally: ]
You said. You want to let Norman Osborn look at my rifle?
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Yeah, that's him. You know the guy?
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What happened?
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[ she stops. hesitating. maybe it's obvious that she doesn't want to disappoint him, when she finally says at length: ]
You'll... Make sure he gives my rifle back, right?
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I'm not going to give it to him if he's not someone you trust with it. I can find someone else.
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No, Mr. B-- it's okay. I. It's for the good of City Hall. A-And. I promised you, so.
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The contract with City Hall's different. This is a personal job. [ He pauses, and it feels like a low blow, but...] If you really want to help, you can start with telling me why I need to watch out for Osborn.
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[ she hesitates. she does really want to help. truly. ]
Just. He-- I just don't think you can trust him.
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It's just-- when I worked for him? I-It didn't really work out so good for me. And I'm not the only one.
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You're not saying he - [ Shit, he's not a child counselor or experienced with any of this shit, how the fuck is he supposed to ask this? ] - did something to you, right?
[ The strained, slightly repulsed tone of his voice is an obvious indication of his train of thought, even if his words don't reflect it. ]
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Oh my God, no-- I mean, yes, but not. That. He-- I. Was a spy. For Tony Stark. And Mr. Osborn found out so. H-He blackmailed my best friend into... Uh. T... T--
[ A struggling pause. ]
Torturing me.
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What the fuck? [ Okay, that comes out as a bit of a snarl. ] Why hasn't anyone brought him in?
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The version of my friend. The one that's here now. I-I don't think he remembers that.
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I won't. [ Reluctant assent. Then, quietly: ] Does Mitch know?
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He's worked with Osborn on a project for City Hall, but I don't know how well he actually knows the guy. [ He pauses. ] I don't trust anyone who'd do that to couple of kids.
[ Sure, she said she was a spy at the time, but she's still a kid. ]
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I-I don't want to make trouble for you and Mr. Mayor. I'll-- just let him look at my rifle, okay?
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[ More seriously: ] How big of a security risk is this guy? You think he's someone I gotta watch out for?
[ Fuck, Mitch, why are all the people you work with supervillains. ]
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Yeah. Probably.
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Thanks. For telling me.
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I didn't-- mess things up, did I?
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But if you know any other guys with a bad record-- give me a heads up, all right? [ More seriously: ] You're a member of X-Factor, so let's just call it part of the job. Makes it easier for me to stay on top of shit. So you tell me when someone's bad news and I'll try to make sure they don't get a chance to pull anything. Deal?
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