maskormenacelogs | disregarding that I've created these monsters

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disregarding that I've created these monsters

WHO: NORMAN OSBORN and NORMAN OSBORN (JR.)
WHERE: De Chima
WHEN: Wednesday (13th)
WHAT: A business proposition.
WARNINGS: Likely references to violence/murder/death/abuse, the Osborn classics.

[ It's true that there's a benefit in biding one's time. Since Norman's been here he hasn't rushed himself into going back into his own business; he's gone with the flow, accepting the government work and then his position at Starrware in addition to his own work, other contracts to help him build up a solid body of work here as well as a reputation. Contacts. There was ample room and foundation now for him to venture back into rebuilding his own brand with much less the work that it would take if he'd tried without all these resources.

More interestingly is the fact that Norman is once again no longer the only Osborn in this world. Catching up with his grandson has been a unique and enlightening experience; Norman isn't foolishly blinded by familial affection, nothing like that. He's beyond that sort of mistake. But blood runs deep, very deep, as does name and legacy -- Norman is invested in keeping Normie close for the time being. As such, an idea occurs to him.

He gives Normie a call. ]

Normie. [ That word alone should be enough by way of greeting and introduction. ] Are you free to talk? In person, if you can.

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[Normie stares at the caller ID on his phone as it rings, debating letting it go to voicemail, before finally picking it up.]

Grandfather, what a pleasant surprise. Name a place, and I'll be there as soon as I can.

[ Good boy, Normie. Urgent matters mean actually answering the phone. ]

I would suggest the same place we ate last, but I think today it would be more appropriate that you came by my lab. [ His public, professional one, that is. ] For the purposes of our conversation.

[ And he provides the address. ]

[Well, at least he's partially intrigued now, thanks to the invitation.]

I'm still currently in Nonah, but I can get to De Chima pretty quickly. Give me about an hour?

Take your time. I won't be going anywhere -- call me when you arrive.

[ He'll just be there at one of his tables, most of his projects cleaned off from it, the security in the building already cleared to allow Normie interior access. It's a professional-looking, organized lab, well-stocked with equipment. There are windows, but Norman keeps the shades drawn, letting the interior lights do the work. ]

[And Normie does take as much time as he dares, exploring the immediate area around the building, as well as examining the outside of the building itself under the guise of Phil Urich.

Satisfied, he disappears into an alley, drops the symbiote-created disguise, and walks in through the front door dressed in a business suit. After getting cleared through security, he waits as a security guard calls to let Norman know his grandson has arrived.]

Edited 2015-05-17 17:24 (UTC)

[ Norman is ready to greet him, dressed sharply in a suit as Norman Sr. always seems to be, though with a labcoat on instead of a jacket. He smiles warmly -- Norman's brand of "warm" -- and gestures with an arm for Normie to step inside. ]

I know it's a bit humble, compared to OsCorp. You and Harry were always lucky to inherit the fruits of my labors, that business that I built from the ground up. Harry probably spared you the details of how little your great-grandfather left me to work with.

But work I did. I began even lower than this, back then. [ But despite being "humble," it is still a decently sized, decently outfitted laboratory. ] So between the two of us, what's there to stand in our way?

[Normie returns the smile and falls in step with his grandfather.

OsCorp? Interesting.]

My father always used to say that you created... OsCorp for him. To make a better life for him than your father made for you. And you certainly succeeded.

[Ugh will stroking the other Norman's enormous ego be required at every meeting? It's already getting old.

Looks around the lab and gives a rather nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.]

It's a start, at any rate. [Not too much ego stroking for you, gramps.] But now that you've included me in your plans I'm sure we can whip this place up into something resembling our companies back home.

Is your specialization still chemicals, or have you picked up a new specialty since that last time I've seen you?

[ Norman actually hesitates, but decides it's in his best interest to nod. ]

For us. My family. Yes -- I wanted a better life for me and mine, as anyone else should strive for. Success only comes out of hard work and desire.

[ And luck, but Norman doesn't add that. Only fools rely on luck.

He turns to Normie, still smiling. ]

I'm sure we can. I've already begun looking into building space, as a matter of fact. [ Rather: businesses to acquire. He'll build up to that part, though. ] Chemicals and electrical engineering. It's important to always stay competitive.

Of course.

[Looks out at the laboratory again.]

Electrical engineering happens to be a specialty of mine. I'm ashamed to admit I'm not the chemist you or my father were, so I made sure to make up for it in other ways.

Not everything can be chemistry. While it may have been OsCorp's strongest foundation, I've always had my own varied specialties. But more importantly as a business one must always evolve and adapt with the times.

We Osborns have a knack for that. The surviving ones.

[ He moves closer to Normie, clapping him on the shoulder and gesturing with his other arm at the room before them. ]

You could have your own lab, of course. I won't be hovering over your shoulder too much; any working man needs his privacy. I understand that.

[ Oh yes he does. ]

[If he was dealing with anything else, he'd crack a joke that technically everything was chemistry, but he's just going to keep that to himself, instead nodding.]

How does that saying go... "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results?"

[Somehow manages to both keep from flinching at the touch, and convince the symbiote not to stab Norman through the hand.]

As such a concerned CEO, I would be more surprised if you weren't popping in every now and then.

[Looks across the room once more, then looks back over at Norman, and with the most authentic smile he can muster adds:]

Thank you again for this incredible opportunity, grandfather. I never thought I'd be able to work with you.

Well, I didn't say never. I try not to, generally. Especially when discussing business.

[ He claps Normie's shoulder once more before removing his hand, stepping aside from his grandson but not by very far. He looks at him in an assessing sort of way, neither fond nor proud nor anything especially reflective of their conversation; simply calm and matter-of-fact. ]

No need to thank me. We're family; we have a responsibility toward one another. Enough of one. All that's remarkable is the unique circumstances that allow us both the opportunity.

I'm not sure what kind of employees you dealt with where you're from, but I for one welcome your input.

[Flashes his best smile.]

I suppose that's the one reason to be grateful to be brought here by... What was her name...? Lachesis?

Well, it used to be. They tell us she changed their Porter but that she isn't in it any longer -- a story which I'm inclined to believe, considering Lachesis was always a very invasive host. She makes her presence known.

[ He flashes a smile in return, though it's a subdued one. ]

But I don't anticipate any problems.

[That's.. the most anyone's ever told him about Lachesis since Kanaya.]

Surely she wouldn't come out of hiding to bother us, would she?

[ See, Norman is helpful. This is why it's great to have family around! ]

Hard to say, frankly. I wouldn't even assume for certain she's still here in this universe without more evidence to work with.

[Well now everything is completely cool between them.]

But why would the porter keep bringing people in otherwise?

Also hard to say. The scientists speculate that when "group A" was deposited here from our previous, imploding universe -- yes, that is where I come in -- Lachesis altered their current Porter irreversibly.

[ He gestures vaguely with his hand, like the subject barely interests him. ]

There could be multiple explanations. Theories, ultimately, until one of them is credible enough.

[Normie finds it interesting that Norman doesn't seem too interested in the thign responsible for bringing them here (and potentially bringing them home), but he can't be sure if it's just feigned disinterest, or if after many years and multiple worlds, it just doesn't have the same appeal that it does for Normie. Either way, he takes the hint.]

Perhaps the Porter would be so kind as to bring us some skilled employees.

[Maybe a chemist. Maybe a chemist named Harry Osborn. After all, he was here before, wasn't he?]

We can only hope so, can't we?

[ Norman's response is clipped, though friendly, his mouth quirking at the corners to suggest a smile. Not that he's thinking of Harry, or really, anyone in particular. There are probably promising enough candidates among the current pool of imPorts or even native citizens alike, assuming they can find ones who won't behave too ambitiously.

Basically, Norman takes that comment a bit too literally and a bit too seriously, though he moves on. ]

But for now, I'm glad to have you on board. We can get started immediately, then.

[It's finally starting to dawn on Normie exactly what he just signed up for, that from now on he'd be dealing with the other Norman day in and day out, and he couldn't afford for his mask to slip, not even a little bit. He had to commit.

So be it.]

Well then, what's the first order of business?

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disregarding that I've created these monsters

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