chapter 6

Peter didn’t remember the elevator at the Daily Bugle building groaning so much. He looked down at the swell of his gut, larger than ever, and quickly looking at the weight limit posted next to the door. He sighed a little sigh of relief.

He stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the reception desk. He didn’t recognize the woman sitting at the desk, but it had been more than a year since he’d tried to sell photos to the Bugle. He’d managed to get a few shots of robbers being apprehended by the police, and he thought they might be interested. Besides, the amount of money he’d been spending on food and replacing his out-grown clothes was decimating his paycheck from teaching, so he could use the extra money.

“Hi, I’m Peter Parker. Um, could I maybe see Mr. Robertson? I have some photographs I thought the Bugle might be interested in.”

“Let me call Robbie for you,” the receptionist replied.

Less than a minute later Peter saw Robbie walking across the office. “Hi Robbie, it’s good to see you.”

Peter could see the confusion on Robbie’s face – clearly he didn’t recognize the much fatter Peter Parker. His expression changed to one of shock, then a smile.”

“Peter, it’s good to see you, too. You’ve… You look different,” Robbie said.

“Heh, yeah, I’ve put on a few pounds. More than a few, I guess.”

“Well, the married life will do that to you,” Robbie said, kindly.

“Oh, um, well,” Peter said, his gaze dropping to the floor, “Mary Jane and I have split up, actually.”

“Gosh, I am so sorry to hear that, Peter,” Robbie said, then changing the topic as quickly as possible, “What brings you to the Bugle today?”

Peter pulled out his camera and showed Robbie the pictures he had taken on the view screen.

“I just got these shots about an hour ago, I thought maybe you’d be interested?”

Robbie rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Well, they’re great images, Peter, but we’ve already got some pictures for that story and I don’t think I can use more. Say, you wouldn’t happen to have any pictures of Spider-man, would you? Like the ones you used to bring me? He hasn’t been seen in months, and I think there would be a lot of interest in a story on him right now.”

Peter frowned. “Sorry Robbie, I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Well, I just hope Spidey is okay, wherever he is. You take care of yourself, too, Peter.”