Thursday afternoon arrived faster than Alex wanted. He stood outside Oscorp Tower at 3:40 PM, staring up at the gleaming glass structure that dominated this section of Manhattan.
The building was impressive. Sixty stories of steel and glass that reflected the afternoon sun like a mirror.
The Oscorp logo sat at the top, visible for blocks in every direction. This was Norman Osborn's monument to himself and his vision of the future.
Alex wore the best clothes he owned. A button-down shirt that was slightly too big. Dress pants that were clean but clearly inexpensive.
His only pair of decent shoes. He looked presentable but not wealthy. Like a smart kid trying his best.
Which was exactly the truth.
He walked through the revolving doors into the lobby. The space was massive. Marble floors polished to a mirror shine.
Security desks with guards in professional uniforms. A reception area with multiple attendants. Everything screamed money and power.
Alex approached the main desk. A young woman looked up with a professional smile.
"Welcome to Oscorp Industries. How can I help you?"
"Alex Carter. I have a 4 PM meeting with Mr. Osborn. I was told to arrive early for security processing."
The woman's professional smile became genuine surprise. Her fingers moved across her keyboard rapidly.
"Of course, Mr. Carter. Please proceed to security station three. They'll process your clearance and escort you upstairs."
Security processing took fifteen minutes. Photo ID verification. Metal detector. A temporary badge with his photo and clearance level.
They took his phone and put it in a locker. No recording devices allowed on the executive floors.
A security guard who looked like he could bench press a car escorted Alex to a private elevator. The man scanned his badge and pressed the button for the top floor.
They rode up in silence. Alex's enhanced mind was racing. Running through scenarios. Calculating responses to potential questions. Preparing for multiple conversation paths.
'Norman Osborn is testing me,' Alex thought. 'This whole meeting is an evaluation. He wants to see if I'm useful or just another kid who got lucky with one article.'
The elevator opened directly into a reception area. Everything here was even more expensive than the lobby.
Real wood paneling. Artwork that was probably worth more than Alex's entire apartment building.
Floor-to-ceiling windows with views across Manhattan.
A woman in her early thirties stood from behind a desk. Professional suit. Hair pulled back severely. Sharp eyes that missed nothing.
"Mr. Carter. I'm Nora, Mr. Osborn's executive assistant. Thank you for arriving early."
"Thank you for the advice about preparation," Alex said. "It was very helpful."
Nora's expression softened slightly. "Mr. Osborn will see you in a few minutes. Would you like water or coffee while you wait?"
"Water would be great. Thank you."
She gestured toward a leather couch. Alex sat and tried to look calm while his heart hammered against his ribs.
Nora brought him water in a glass that probably cost more than his monthly food budget.
Then she returned to her desk and continued working on her computer.
Alex sipped the water slowly. His enhanced mind kept running through preparation. Oscorp's current projects.
Their stock performance. Norman's public statements. The military contracts. Everything he had absorbed over the past two days.
But there was something else occupying his thoughts too. Something that had been growing in his mind since he first realized where he was.
Super soldier serum.
Oscorp was researching human enhancement. That was public knowledge. Their military contracts included performance enhancement studies.
Norman himself would eventually use an experimental formula that transformed him into the Green Goblin.
That technology existed somewhere in this building right now.
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