Chapter 193: Deadpool (2)
Dinner tonight was filled with joy. On one hand, it was a celebration of the Parker brothers' graduation; on the other, it was for Ben Parker's new position at Parker Industries.
"Uncle Ben, what exactly does your technical job at Parker Industries involve?" Peter inquired.
Ben Parker paused with his knife and fork to explain, "Organizing experimental equipment. It's quite easy; sometimes there's nothing to do all day."
"Ben, do you even know how to repair those high-tech instruments?" Aunt May felt she was understanding Ben less and less. Was he really some kind of hidden master?
"Of course! I'm a hidden master of repairs; I usually just hide my light under a bushel," Ben Parker boasted.
In reality, for the first few days, veteran masters had been teaching the new hires how to inspect and maintain the equipment. Ben had also noticed that his coworkers all took the initiative to chat with him, which made him feel like his charisma had significantly increased.
"Really? Then why did you break the car last time you tried to fix it?" Aunt May asked, chewing her beef.
"That was... an accident. A total accident. No one is perfect, after all," Ben Parker said hurriedly.
Silas, sitting nearby, chuckled inwardly. Parker Industries belonged to him; he had simply given Ben Parker "special consideration." Otherwise, Ben wouldn't have even received an interview notice. Those coworkers who were so friendly to Ben were actually members of the Black Shadow Corps Silas had arranged. This was to help Ben integrate into the group quickly while giving him a chance to learn new things. Silas had even planned out Ben's future promotion path—step-by-step advancement to Department Manager. After that, Ben would have to rely on his own genuine skills.
"How about this? After I get my next paycheck, our family takes a road trip to San Francisco?" Ben suggested.
"San Francisco? Isn't that too far? Besides, your priority should be stabilizing your job," Aunt May said, frowning. San Francisco was over 4,000 kilometers from New York. If Ben had just started and already requested days off, what would the company think? The drive would take three or four days each way, and the expenses wouldn't be small.
"Don't worry. Parker Industries is giving a week of paid leave next week—supposedly for company expansion. Plus, the company gives bonuses to 'Outstanding Employees.' And I, Ben Parker, was easily selected," Ben said, feeling like he was walking on air.
"Outstanding Employee?! That's amazing, Ben!" Aunt May hadn't expected Ben to win such an award already.
"It's only natural. I heard the minimum bonus for an outstanding employee is $10,000." Ben felt like the peak of his life was just beginning.
Silas hadn't expected Ben to get this carried away, but he didn't mind. The reason the perks were so lavish was that all the other "Outstanding Employees" were Shadow Ninjas! Aside from Ben's share, every penny of that bonus money would eventually return to the company. To outsiders, it just made Parker Industries look like a prestigious workplace that attracted top talent.
"But San Francisco is still too far. Let's go to Los Angeles instead," Aunt May suggested. Although L.A. was still over 2,000 kilometers away, it was much more manageable.
"That works too," Ben said, stroking his stubble.
"Awesome!" Peter was ecstatic. For someone who had never traveled, this was incredibly exciting. A camping trip on Saturday and a road trip starting Monday—Spider-Man was going to have a nice long vacation.
"What do you think, Silas?" Ben asked. Silas had been eating quietly and hadn't voiced an opinion yet. Ben cared deeply about the feelings of every family member.
"I don't have a strong preference. A road trip sounds great. The steak is just so good that I didn't want to stop talking to eat it," Silas said, holding up a piece of beef on his fork.
"Great! Everyone rest up this week. Just a warning though: road trips can be quite boring," Ben laughed.
"No way, I bet it'll be fun," Peter said.
Silas continued eating in silence. Boring? With Spider-Man along for the ride, this trip was destined to be anything but boring.
I should save up some money to buy a car, Ben thought to himself. With such a good job, it was time to start enjoying life.
Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Children (Bar)
"This is just so messed up. She actually ran off with another man for a little bit of money," a tanned man said, sitting at the bar and drinking.
"It's normal, kid. Life is like a violation—either you're doing it or it's being done to you. Either way, you might as well enjoy it," said a man wearing a red suit with his mask pulled halfway up, two katanas strapped to his back.
"You don't understand. This was love," the Indian man said, getting drunk.
Deadpool took a sip of his drink. "Oh, I understand. Have you ever seen a tiger over ten meters tall? Because I've seen its... underside."
"...What does that have to do with love?" the man asked, confused.
"Nothing. I just wanted to mention it," Wade Wilson quipped.
"Ahhh~ Love is so confusing! Everything was so beautiful, and then reality is just so cruel!" The Indian man slumped on the table, crying uncontrollably.
Deadpool tossed a sunflower seed into his mouth. "Nah, you haven't seen cruel until you've seen a guy who is green all over."
"Who?!" The Indian man hoped to find a kindred spirit.
"The Hulk," Deadpool said.
"Ugh! Waaaaah! That doesn't count!" The Indian man wailed even louder. The eyes of the entire bar turned toward them.
"Great, now you're the center of attention, baby." Deadpool grabbed a handful of seeds and stuffed them into the man's mouth.
"Mmph... waah..." Seeds leaked out of the man's mouth.
Deadpool hauled the man up and dragged him to the center of the stage. He snatched the microphone from the band. "Now, please welcome our king, Drunken Boy, to perform a dance for everyone!"
"Dance, Drunken Boy!" Deadpool shouted.
Indian music began to play. The man, who had been limp like a corpse, suddenly heard the music in his ears. He snapped his eyes open, looking like he had been fully resurrected, and began to dance wildly in the center of the stage.
"Woo-hoo!"
"Ura!"
"Ho ho ho!" The atmosphere in the bar ignited.
Seeing this, Deadpool quietly slipped away from the stage and back to the bar counter. The bartender was polishing a glass. Seeing Deadpool approach, he said, "So, Wade, you want a Bloody Mary?"
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