2019-03-18 - Meeting Peter Parker

Summary:

Dead Girl meets Peter Parker via Spider-Man. And, of course, his Aunt May.

Log Info:

Storyteller: None
Date: Mon Mar 18 21:50:55 2019
Location: The Store

Related Logs

None

Theme Song

None

peter-parkerdead-girl

Peter doesn't often use the subway. it's much slower than his usual method of getting around. He had to make a couple or train changes.

That, and a Spider-Man swinging around with a tool belt and backpack is something of a memorable thing. Too memorable. But he should think about getting a backpack in red and blue…

The kid with short brown hair, brown eyes, average face, baggy flannel shirt, baggy jeans, and beat-up tennies makes his way down the alley, then turns along another alley, then finally arrives at the door. Yep, it's here.

Peter Parker, looking like Norman Q. Normal, raps lightly on the door.

The door to 'The Store' is open- invitingly so. The knock at the door has Dead Girl peek out from behind a counter, "Hey! We're open. Come on in!" she says with a bright and friendly smile.

And the inside of The Store? Half a building, three floors- all of it converted into some kind of bohemian, hippie-esque space. It feels well loved. Well lived in. There are bright colors- things on shelves. Three storeys worth of vinyl records- along with platforms and ladders. Books are stuffed in book cases all over the place. Items 'Not for sale' are everywhere. Almost everything or anything someone would want or not want are here without much thought on what is shown.

Any research on The Store would find that it's considered an art exhibit by most. Some consider it a museum piece, as it's been there for so long and ther are so many very old, antique things inside. Clothes, books, literal antique clocks and other such items are scatterd everywhere.

"Welcome to The Store!" she offers with that bright smile. "You here for a drink? Bite to eat? Listen to some music? Maybe up for a trade?" she wonders next.

Peter blinked. "Uhm…" He points back…then left…then right…then thinks a moment and points up. "Uhm…I was told…by Spider-Man…you might need some help with something? I don't…really have anything to trade."

Because the water has to keep running and the power needs to keep flowing at the Parker house in Queens.

He looks more than a little sheepish…

"Oh, that's okay. I'm pretty open as to 'what is there to trade'" Dead Girl notes, "Oh! That nice Spider-Man! He's a good guy, you know. I've written a few letters to Mr. Jameson about him being super nice, but I doubt he'll put them in the editorials. He's always been a bit of a horse's ass." she remarks as she glides out from behind the counter, "And yeah! I just upgraded my solar system! I use it to keep the water hot around here." she explains, "So, I got some new cells- they're replacing the old Bell Labs one's I got in like sixty seven."

Early adopter, clearly. "And, I mean, some of this newer stuff is a bit confusing to me, you know?" she wonders, as she reaches out to offer Peter a hand, "Dead Girl. Nice to meet you." she says with a beaming smile.

"So, yeah, come on up to the roof. It's this module that's got like something to do with pointing the stuff towards the sun that's got me confused. It just can't be easy like the turbines, huh?" she wonders, "Wind is always in the city, so, turbines make a ton of sense." Upward to the second floor- which partially looks over the ground floor. There's an old Elevator in there, too- the whole place is accessable. The elevator looks pretty well loved- an old thing- but it's clearly still in good shape. Everything here seems to be loved and well cared for.

Including the cats which wander around as if they own the place.

Peter tries to ignore the dismissive looks he gets from the cats. He follows "Dead Girl" (whatta name, really) up to the roof. The roof is nice; there is a cool breeze, and the building does get a lot of sun.

He nods as he looks at the current setup. He walks around the solar arrays as he examines the connections. "These new panels, they are more efficient, and…hmm. Okay. I think I see the issue. When you replaced the panels, did you get a new inverter? That's what converts DC to AC. and is the system storage ready? Do you have solar batteries installed somewhere?"

"Oh, I got a whole bunch of stuff." Dead Girl says, as she points over to a nearby 'shed'. The roof itself is covered in a garden- her garden swallows up the whole roof. Apparently, she's the only one with access up here.

There's water flowing. The sweet scent of flowers. There's a couple of bee hives, even, for urban honey collection. The wind turbines are of the vertical sort that are set up in the appropriate places to catch the most wind. "The actual batteries are kept inside the building, but the inverters and everything are in there." she explains.

And, that whole set up inside that shed is fairly well done- albeit done in a rather old style. Like one might expect an electrician from forty years ago to do things. "So, the new stuff was a little confusing- and it's currently working, but the major thing is that part that controls the motors that make it move in time with the sun. I liked that idea, so they're more like my flowers."

The entire feeling of this roof is super relaxing. IT's like an oasis in the city, with a nice little view of a nearby park and some trees. It still feels private. One side has a green house- inside are fruits and vegetables. Why she grows food is a little confusing- she clearly doesn't eat.

"ARe you sure you're not hungry? I could make you something. Get you a beer or something." Dead Girl offers in true 60's style. Peter is old enough to be drafted- he's old enough to drink. At least, in her mind.

"I got harder stuff if you want that, too. Oh! And I just got some honey. Would you like a jar of honey?" She asks next, "Ooh! And I was slow cooking some meat, too. Are you vegan or anything? I mean, really, I love to cook for people- food is always free at The Store."

Peter is checking the motors on the solar arrays as Deeg speaks, and for a moment, he loses track of what she is saying. Then she mentions beer and he blinks. He straightens up and looks to her, waiting for her to finish before saying, "Uhm…I'm only 18. You have to be 21 to drink alcohol in New York." He smiles apologetically, then says, "Might have to update the wiring. And take a look at the firmware running the solar tracking module. If it is serious enough, I might need to look at the motors." If it was even using a current system. He just hoped the firmware was up to date.

"Wow, really? Since when?" Dead Girl asks, eyebrows knitting together. "It was 18 when I was a kid." Dead Girl notes- still looking very much the same age as Peter himself.

"Okay, so, I've got a lot of wires and stuff inside the storage room. Lots of stuff in there- might find something you want in there, too. If you see something let me know. COme on!" Dead Girl then leads Peter off to the storage room.

The Storage room is pretty big. And it's literally wall to wall stuff. "What sort of things are you into, Peter? I'm sure I've got something around here that'll tickle your fancy. I mean, if you're going to do stuff for me, I should give you some things that maybe you want or need." she says with another beaming smile.

"Let's see.. I got a case of old Nintendos. You want a nintendo? Are those still cool?" she wonders first as she guides Peter towards the 'wires and other crap' department.

Peter hmmed. "Vintage game consoles can fetch a good price, if they're in really good condition. Hmm…" He stops at the boxes of cabling. "Okay…listen, let me open up the hardware for the solar array and take a look. Try to eliminate the obvious problems first. Uhm…could I get a glass of water? Do you have any with lids on them?"

"I have lots of glasses with lids on them." Dead Girl says, "Water is an easy ask- I have cola, too." Dead Girl notes, "And juices and all that nice stuff. Whatever you want! Me Casa Es Su Casa!" she offers with a friendly smile as she heads out to get PEter whatever it is he's requested. "I'll be back in a minute with your water." She says, heading out towards the kitchen- and letting Peter explore the storage room.

By the time Dead Girl reappears on the roof, Peter has been busy. The housing for the motors handling the arrays are open, and parts are laid out on the roof next to them. Peter is currently at the box where the "brain box" of the system is located, and a cable runs from a serial port into a laptop with a cracked screen. However, the screen is lit with lines of code scrolling down as some kind of program is analyzing the code. A small box in the upper left says FIRMWARE UPDATE—15 LINES OF CODE NEEDING OPTIMIZATION. Peter is working on the inverter, which has been opened as well. (He did take the time to unplug it from the system.) He wields a soldering iron in one hand, a tiny spool of solder wire in the other, and seems to be…ADDING electrical components to the inverter.

Dead Girl arrives with water in a covered cup with a plastic crazy straw. She's got some watermelon and cantaloupe cut into bite size pieces, along with a fork for easy access to the plate. She's watching quietly, clearing her throat only after she's sure Peter won't hit his head on anything. "Hey, I got your water- and some fruit

Peter nods, not looking up. "Could you please put it on the little table behind me?" He sounds very focused. "The inverter needed some backup capacitors. A little more leeway for any surges or drops. Also, the company who wrote the firmware missed a couple of things, so I'm running through the code to see what needs fixing. I also added a visual backup tracking system to one of the arrays to correct the angle in case of a hiccup…"

"That all sounds very futuristic and amazing!" Dead Girl notes, as she puts the items right where she's been asked to put it. "Do you need anything else?" Dead Girl wonders next, curious as she shifts to watch in her own special way- floating into the air so she can watch from above. She's see-through, now. And just watching with rapt curiosity. "You're a really cool dude, Peter!"

Peter blushed slightly. "Well, I've sorta had a knack for technology."

Like electronics, microtech, biotech, neuroscience…

"Uhm, this should be good." He gave the board a couple of light gusts of air from a small bottle of canned air, then replaced the converter box, "Okay, that should get you another 300 kilowatts out of the array. Now, the code's still being checked, so let's go finish the tracking system."

He stood up, then grabbed the glass of water and drained it slowly as he walked over to the array, putting the glass down as he reached the center array and pointed to what looked like a webcamera attached to the top right corner of the panel bank.
"This camera will keep the sun in the center. If the array moves out of sync, the camera will see and send instructions to re-orient. It's designed to function in all kinds of weather,"

"Okay, that's pretty cool." Dead Girl says as she watches Peter work and listens closely to what he's got to say. She pays close attention to his explanations. "Okay, cool, cool." she says with a bright smile. "That's far out, Peter!" she says, as she continues to listen.. "Is there any kind of maintenance I'll need to do?"

Peter nodded. "The panels are weatherproofed, but you should clean them every week, and after any major storm or event. There is a diagnostic tool in the brain box that will tell you if any panels are damaged. Also, check them if the power level drops into the red." He adjusts something on the wired connection from the camera to the array, then nods. "Okay. Let me re-assemble these and then the code should be ready to check." He looked to her. "Do you have a mechanic or an electrician on call?"

"Several!" Dead Girl notes. "They're all old, though, Peter. They're more likely to involve like old mechanical switches. They're mostly old hippies, you know? People I was hanging out with in the sixties and seventies." she says with a smile, "I know this fantastic Queen who's a plumber by day, and at night? She's the most beautiful princess, I swear." she says with a smile. "You'd never guess by looking at her in her overalls."

Peter, a guy who knew full well about the concealing power of clothing, simply nodded. "Sounds you had a pretty lively life for a dead person."

He screws the last cover on, then says, "Okay. Back to the computer, and we can check out what can be improved. Then we'll run a full diagnostic."

"Living life is the best part of being alive." Dead Girl notes, with a grin. "You got to really mess it up, and live the highs and lows and everything. Life is a really fantastic thing, Peter." she says with a smile, "I've got a lot of views on living life." she says, "And I think the living waste too much of it."

She nods then to Peter, "Okay, cool. And yeah, I mean, The Store has been right here since 1963, you know? So, I've been in the center of all of that."

Peter shakes his head. "I can't imagine that. Being around since the 60's." He reaches the laptop, which seemed to have completed its analysis. 42 LINES NEEDING OPTIMIZATION. PRESS ENTER TO EDIT CODE.

Peter nodded, sitting down on an overturned utility pail, and begins typing like this is some kind of Word document instead of the code of a solar array. "Computers are becoming more and more developed at a faster rate than even Moore's law can account for. Hunh. Jeez, lazy coding here…"

"Yeah, I bet! And that's just the stuff we know about! I mean, Mr. Stark back in the day had all kinds of stuff hidden in his building." Dead Girl notes with a bright grin. She's got such happiness to her, Even as she's dead.

"So, what about you, Peter? Are you in school or something?" she wonders, "I bet they'd love you over at NYU or Columbia or something."

Peter smiles slightly. "Midtown High…and I can't afford NYU, or Columbia. I'm most likely going to go to Empire State…it's the best I can afford while taking care of my Aunt May in Queens." He chuckled. "Same old story. One you've…jeez, really?…heard about a thousand times. Maybe a hundred thousand."

He finishes the last change, then says, "Okay. I'm going to fire up the inverter. If nothing explodes, I'll bring the array online."

"Hrm. Well, as long as the education is good, who cares what name is on the diploma." Dead Girl notes. "I mean, I lived in a time when you could go and get a job at the local factory and buy a house with what you got paid and college was like super affordable." she shakes her head, "It's really screwed up how they've changed that. I've got a lot of books here, so, you're welcome to borrow any of them if you need them." she suggests, "There are all kinds." she says, as she nods and follows Peter's lead.

"Hey, you can always bring your Aunt here, if you need." Dead Girl offers. "I'm always glad to have other people around. Some people come here everyday!" She notes, "I feed'em, I've got beds on the third floor…" she notes, "And everyone here is safe and at home." she smiles brightly, "You, too, if you want. Everyone is welcome in The Store. Always have been."

Peter chuckles. "Aunt May doesn't come into the city anymore. Not since the Sentinels. She feels the burg is 'charmed.'" He sighs heavily, then reaches for the breaker switch on the inverter.

There is a soft hum, but no explosion. Peter checks the readout and smiles. "Ohhhkayyy…we got a heartbeat, everything running cool and normal." He looks to DG, then says, "I'll tell her about the place. Maybe I can bring some of her apple tarts."

He reboots the brain box, and all the lights come up red. After a few seconds, they go to yellow, then green.

Peter looks to the solar panels as they turn almost noiselessly to face the sun. The readout shows there is a 342 kWH increase, but running ten degrees cooler.

"Looks like you're good to go."

"Ooh! Fantastic!" Dead Girl says with a grin, clapping her hands, "And yeah! Bring her out. I'm sure she'll be comfortable here." she says with a bright smile, "I mean, we can talk about old-lady stuff!" she says with a grin, "I bet we've both seen a lot of the same stuff over the years! It's always nice to talk to someone around my own age." she notes, "I assume she's around my age, anyways- is she? Maybe she's a youngster!" she says with a wide grin. "Either way, she's welcome and so are you. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by. Go into the kitchen, grab a meal or something. Oh! On Sundays, we do Sunday dinner, all day. It's an all you can eat, potluck, everyone is welcome dinner! I've been doing it since like 1965, and I'm not about to stop doing it now." she says with a bright smile. "You're both welcome." she says, as she reaches into her pocket and passes a key over to Peter. "And give that to Spider-Man, yeah? It sounds like he talks to you or something, so. That's a key for the roof door. In case he needs a place to crash or something. He's welcome up here, and in The Store, too!"

Dead Girl smiles brightly, "Oh! Did you see anything you liked in storage, or in the Store?" she wonders, "You can have something if you want."

Peter looked thoughtful. There had been a few game consoles. All still in their boxes. He knew people who would pay $250-400 for those. He was pretty sure he saw a Ducktales 2 box, $350 easy. Would she know their worth? Probably.

"I think we can call a mulligan on an hour's work," Peter said wryly. "Most of the stuff you have in there is vintage. Hundreds of dollars. Too much for an hour's work."

"So? Will it help you?" Dead Girl asks- sure, she knows the value. She turns away people all the time who come in and offer money. "Nothing in this place is for sale, that doesn't mean I don't give it away. Take two. Keep one for yourself, sell one if you need the money." Dead Girl says, "Just come to Sunday Dinner sometime." she says with a bright smile. "Things are just things, Peter. People are more important. Relationships, friendships, stories. I pick up things because I think they're neat. I keep them until I don't. If I want to keep it, I'll let people know."

Peter looks a little uncomfortable. "I…I don't want to cheat you. Besides, if Aunt May saw it and found out I got it for an hour's work, she'd take the time to march me back here and give it back." He looked apologetic. "Please don't make me come back under duress with an angry Aunt May."

"Your Aunt May can call me." Dead Girl says. "I'm old, and I'm dead. I seriously doubt she could scare me." she says with a grin, "Really, it's okay, Peter. Do you want me to write a note? I can write her a note." she says, "It's how we old ladies talk to each anyways." She says with a beaming smile.

"I'll get my pen and some nice stationary and write her a letter." she says, "Anyways, it's just stuff. Who cares about how much it's worth- money isn't anything. Trust me, once you're dead, you won't care about money. What do I need money for? I don't eat, or sleep, or anything."

Dead Girl smiles and heads off a moment, disappearing into the building before returning to find Peter with a letter on a nice piece of paper, in an envelope. It even has a wax seal- because of course it does.

"There you go. That's for your Aunt May- and you go wild back there. Grab two of those things, keep one just for fun. Sell the other one. Sounds like you need the money, so. Why not take it?"

Peter looks at the paper. For a moment, he entertains the prospect of actually giving her the paper. Seeing her read it carefully.

It could work. Aunt May couldn't argue if she knowingly agreed with it.

"Well…I suppose if I have something in writing…"

"Just make sure you take something to keep for yourself, Peter!" Dead Girl says, with a wide grin- letting Peter do this thing in the storage room. There's nothing back there that she can't replace. And Peter seems like one of those kids who'd ask anyways.

She also sends Peter home with an 'Amish Friendship Bread' which is like some crazy pound-cake/Coffee Cake hybrid from the Amish. It's sinfully good.

All is quiet for the next hour or so.

Then the phone rings. Even the RINGTONE sounds ominous.

Dead Girl picks up the phone, "Ahoy-hoy! Dead GIrl Speaking!" She chirps happily. It's an old phone, "We haven't delivered food since 1972, but if you can convince me it be a good idea, I'll bring you a nice goat head's soup!" she says next, as a way to say hello.

A pause, then an elderly female voice. "Good evening. Is this the establishment known as 'The Store?'" There is a slight undercurrent of steel in the pleasant-sounding voice.

"It sure is! I'm the owner, and sole employee! DEad Girl! I mean, we've been here since 1963. I'd like to say we're a New York legend, in that no one has ever really seen us, but we're still there. To whom am I speaking?"

"An indignant parental guardian. Peter…PHONE."

From a little farther away, "Yes, Aunt May." Another pause, then his voice again, much clearer and closer. "I wish to confess that I took items of value greater than the value of the work I provided. As such, I…Aunt May, are you sure…sorry. Uhm, As such, I will either return the items for something of equal value, or submit an accounting of nine hours of additional technical support, commesurate with the value of the items themselves. This is at your discretion."

"Oh, you weren't joking, were you Peter? I like to see this kind of care taken into raising a proper young man!" DEad GIrl chrips next, sounding quiet, "You must be Aunt May! I want to tell you, Peter is such a fine young man! IT couldn't have been easy raising him." she says, "It's clear he loves and respects you very much, he kept telling me that you might not like me giving him those things- but really, I have a case of like nine of them that have been sitting back there since 1983. As long as he keeps one for himself, I'm happy. He did give you the friendship bread, right?"

Another pause, then that hard-sweet voice again. "Yes, dear, and it is a fine dish. Fine enough to warrant a phone call, rather than bringing him back there and returning those items before giving this young man what-for." Her voice softens, slightly. "The wealth of another does not justify taking more than the value of what is provided, Miss…Dead Girl. Yes, I have heard of you, but mostly as legend. Benjy and I avoided Manhattan during the 60's and it just became easier as time went on. Peter's a really good boy, but you have to be strict at the outset and simply give more freedom when trust has grown. Don't you think that's true?"

"Mrs. Parker," Dead Girl begins, "Peter provided me with more than just a service. He provided me with an experience. As I'm sure you know, The Store is more of an.. art installation than an actual retail establishment. If anything changes hands, it's via trade. Beyond actually reprograming the brain box for my solar array, he gave me hope. Do you know how many kids I've seen, smart kids like Peter, I'm sure we've both seen it- who would have taken that stuff and just run? I almost had to force him to take them. I'm thinking you and I come from different sides of the sixties- which is really, really cool and totally fantastic, but I think we can *absolutely* agree that Peter is a fine young man." she goes onto say, the happiness can be heard in her voice. She's actually thrilled to be talking to Aunt May. It's a genuine, almost innocent joy.

"And I do agree that discipline is very important. My nephew Luke grew to such a fine young man because his parents were quite strict." Dead Girl notes, "You should come to my Sunday Dinner. It's a potluck, the whole neighborhood is invited, no matter who they are." she says, "I would just love to have you and Peter come." she continues.

"And, Mrs. Parker, really, it's not about the value of those items in dollars. It's about the value of the interaction I had today. I met a young man who gives me hope. The things he did here, reprograming my solar array? I don't know anyone else who could have done that. He rewired this stuff, he made everything work great *And* he was a joy just to be around. Polite, well spoken, and very kind. Honestly, I should have given him three of those old nintendos. That kind of interaction is worth far more to me than money."

There is a quiet moment, and then said, "Well, Miss…first of all, if we are to be so cordial, you must call me what Peter, his friends, and my friends call me. You may call me Aunt May."

There is a certain gravitas to that.

"You are very kind and considerate. But as appreciative aas I am as to how well-mannered Peter is, he should not be rewarded for acting as a young man of his age SHOULD act with material goods. Good will is a much more appropriate currency for this. It is not good for the youth of today to think that proper etiquette should be a commodity…it should be a standard. I will abide with giving you and your Store a credit of time, because Peter will provide assistance to the full extent of his abilities. WON'T you, Peter Benjamin Parker?"

Peter, chastened, "Yes, Aunt May."

"And you can call me Deeg, Aunt May. All my friends do." Dead Girl assures her over the phone. "Well, I don't disagree with you whatsoever. People should act like that without help. I live that life everyday, and Peter did- very much- try to do exactly that. I just wouldn't let him. I'm a very stubborn old woman, Aunt May." Dead Girl notes, "I mean, I did die and dig myself out of my own grave." That's the story, at least. Old-timers would know about it. "I would be overjoyed to see Peter again, but please, why don't you come out with him sometime. I'd love to meet you in person. I have very few friends my own age anymore, and I'd be *overjoyed* to count you among them." she says, again, sounding just so honestly genuine.

Aunt May chuckles, which is encouraging. She sighs. "I appreciate your offer, but I will have to think about it. Peter will have to, of course. He still owes you nine hours of time. And I expect a fair accounting, young man."

"Yes, Aunt May."

"Good. Now…Deeg…I'm sure I have taken enough of your time and shan't tarry any longer. You seem like a good person, if a bit bohemian, but I have known some bohemians in my youth. But I was a young girl in 1963, and I had only just met the love of my life. I tended to keep my head down when such demonstrations were held. With Benjy in the service, I was one of those people who let history pass them by whilst I kept my head down."

"Oh, I have nothing but time, Aunt May. I'm dead, remember." Dead Girl notes. "And thank you! I'm very proud of what I've managed to accomplish during my existence. There's still a lot to do." Dead Girl notes, "But, there's nothing wrong with that. From what I can see, if Peter is any indication, you've lived a fantastic life, so far." she says- the smile in her voice easy to hear. "He really is a spectacular boy, and you have *every* right to be proud of him. I hope you are, at least. He reminds me of a time when you could walk anywhere in Manhattan and not have to worry, you know? He's that kind of soul. That good kind of soul." She takes a moment to sigh, "You must come out to visit me some time, Aunt May. Even if it's just for coffee, or at least to make sure my kitchen is up to snuff. I mean, if I'm going to see more of Peter, I'm absolutely going to be feeding him. Can't have a hungry young man working around here, after all."

There is a few moments of silence, then Peter picks up, and he's no longer on speaker. "I'll…tell her. She had to…step away from the phone for a bit."

Peter looked at the door where Aunt May had fled, which was now closed.

It was the "I'm Dead" comment. Apparently that sort of thing was still too soon. For a moment, he wanted to tell Deeg, *Nice. Real nice. The right thing to say to a woman who buried the love of her life 13 months ago. REAL swift.* But his brain had choked off the thought before it got to his mouth.

"I'll chat at you later. Drop me a text if you need any more work done."

"Okay, sounds good!" Dead Girl offers. Of course, for Dead Girl- being dead is an every day thing. And, of course, Dead Girl doesn't know anything about the recent loss of the Parker Family.

If she had known, she'd have offered a chance to say goodbye. To call up Mr. Parker for one last goodbye for each of them. For her, it was an easy task. A flick of the wrist- and one could have some closure.

"COme by any time, Peter." Dead Girl says, "And let your Aunt know she's welcome here, too. I'd love to meet her! Have a great day!"

"You, too." Peter hung up, then went to his Aunt May to console her.

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