Chapter 15: J. Jonah Jameson
Inside the Daily Bugle, in J. Jonah Jameson's office.
"Ben, still nothing on that costumed guy from last night?" Jameson glanced toward Ben Parker.
"No. Plenty of people saw him show up, but under those circumstances nobody was thinking about taking pictures," Ben explained.
"I don't necessarily need photos from last night. Any photos of him will do."
Ben frowned. "Jonah, I really don't get why you're so fixated on this. The whole world is talking about Tony Stark vanishing for three months. We should be following that."
"Tony Stark?" Jameson scoffed lightly. "What's there to report about a playboy? The Daily Bugle should be covering the state of New York, even the world, not wasting space on some flashy billionaire with a bit of brains."
"Then why focus on last night's hero?" Ben pressed.
"Hero? Is that what you call him?" Jameson arched a brow.
"Isn't he?"
"Of course not. He's a menace, no different from that guy running around in a Rhino suit. I'm convinced the whole thing last night was staged by him to fool people like you."
"Jonah, that's just your assumption. He saved the officers last night. Thanks to him there were no casualties. Officers John and George were both impressed after working with him," Ben reminded him.
"Those two officers danced around the details to protect their so-called professional dignity. They wouldn't even share the stranger's name. Tell me how much we're supposed to trust that."
"But there were so many witnesses. They can't all be lying," Ben argued.
"I already told you. That's part of his act. He wants you gullible folks to let your guard down."
"Jonah, we're the biggest paper in New York. Our conclusions shape how people think. We need evidence for our stories," Ben insisted.
"I know. I'm not going to smear him out of thin air. I'll keep an eye on him until he slips up."
Ben fell silent. He genuinely didn't understand why Jameson held such a strong grudge against this masked stranger.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A sharp knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Jameson responded.
"Sir, there's a young man who says he has photos of last night's mystery figure," the assistant announced.
"Send him in," Jameson replied immediately, his voice lifting with interest.
"Yes, sir."
The assistant stepped out and returned shortly with a young man in tow.
Both Jameson and Ben frowned the moment he entered. The kid's clothes were noticeably worn and shabby.
The newcomer froze a little when his eyes met Ben's.
"Uncle Ben… I mean, Mr. Parker," Peter greeted, a bit awkward.
"You know me? Well, I suppose you would. Anyone applying to the Daily Bugle would know I'm the editor here," Ben remarked.
Peter's mouth opened slightly as if he wanted to explain, but he held back.
"You've got photos of the mystery man?" Jameson asked.
"Yes, Mr. Jameson," Peter replied.
"Kid, let me make this clear upfront. The Bugle only prints what's real. If what you hand me turns out to be fake, I'll see to it you never work in this industry again," Jameson warned, his voice stern.
"I understand, Mr. Jameson. I promise every photo I brought is real," Peter answered quickly.
"Fine. Let's take a look." Jameson extended a hand toward him.
Peter carefully pulled several photos from his pocket and passed them over.
Jameson examined them one by one. Each shot captured Spider-Man swinging through New York's skyline, his movements fluid, his posture sharp and full of power. Peter had managed to frame him in a way that highlighted both elegance and strength.
Jameson frowned slightly. He wanted proof of wrongdoing, not glamour shots.
"Good photography, but the content is a bit… pedestrian," Jameson muttered.
"I'll try to get better ones next time," Peter blurted, a hint of panic slipping through. If Jameson rejected him, he'd be spending another night on a rooftop.
"Let me see those." Ben leaned in and took a closer look.
"It's him?" Ben's eyes widened as he recognized the masked figure as the same man who had eaten dinner at his home the night before.
"You know this guy?" Jameson shot him a puzzled look.
"We met briefly," Ben replied.
"These are impressive shots, better than some of our actual staff. Kid, you trained in photography?" Ben asked.
"I just take photos as a hobby."
"Jonah, don't turn the boy away just because the photos aren't the kind you wanted," Ben added.
"I never said we wouldn't take them," Jameson responded.
Peter swallowed hard. "Then… Mr. Jameson, can these photos be used in the paper?"
"Of course. The Bugle will buy them, but I need to verify they're genuine." Jameson gave Peter a firm pat on the shoulder.
"They're real, I swear. I saw him myself and snapped them right then," Peter assured him.
Jameson let out a short laugh. "Good. If they're real, you'll be paid fairly."
He handed the pictures to his assistant. "Take these for verification."
Peter had already vowed the photos were genuine, but a man committed to printing the truth would never rely solely on a kid's word.
"Yes, sir." The assistant took them and hurried out.
"Kid, what did you say your name was?" Jameson asked.
"Peter Parker, Mr. Jameson."
"Peter Parker?" Jameson glanced at Ben. "Same name as your nephew."
Ben blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected the young man he'd taken a liking to to share his nephew's name.
"What a coincidence."
Just then, the assistant rushed back in. "Sir, the photos are clean. They're authentic."
Jameson nodded, clearly pleased. Authentic photos meant a story they could run.
"Excellent, Peter Parker. We'll take these. Name your price."