Not-So-Picture-Perfect Way To Start A Day

“PARKER!”

The voice ringing in my ear was more harsh than the alarm clock that got me here this morning. I quickly rushed through the bustling office into the main room, where a tall, bright haired woman was leaning against her desk, a cigar in her mouth, and pantsuit tugged tightly against her curvaceous body.

“I thought I hired you to get pictures of Spider-Woman, not flirt with my damn secretary!” Jameson screams, slamming today’s newspaper onto her desk with a loud THWACK that, also, didn’t exactly help the ringing in my ears. As she slid it over her desk I could see the headline - Spider-Menace Attacks Local Charity! with a picture of the F.E.A.S.T. building on the cover.

“Looks like you already have your story JJ…” I say with a small scoff as I look down at the newspaper, my heart racing in my chest for a second before Jannettes voice rings back in my ear again.

“Oh you think this is funny do ya? Your career and my ass is on the line and you want to laugh?” She screams, a little bit of spit flying off of her upper lip and landing on my cheek now as she stands back up straight again, clearing her throat as she attempts to put on a more professional demeanor.

“Unless you want to go back to freelance I’d recommend you start delivering on your end of the damn bargain, Parker.” She says, fixing her tie a bit as she glances out the window again, scoffing slightly. “Get me pictures of Spider-Woman, or I’ll find me someone else who will!”

I roll my eyes a little bit as she goes off on her rant before letting out a small snort. “Come on JJ, who are you gonna bring in that can take better pictures than me?” I say, a little bit too cocky for my own good, as Jannettes face turns a bright enough red it could actually match my suit.

“You think you’re the only half-decent photographer in town, Parker?” She growls, before pressing the intercom button on her desk, damn near smashing it now. “Betty. Bring her in.” Not even a second later I heard the door opened and with a cocky smirk I turned around to see…

“What’s up, Parker?” The voice says, somewhat cheery, but a small more confident tone that showed her years that she had on me. She was always more assertive than me, even in high school. We always had a little rivalry thing going on but I didn’t expect to see her here.

“Edna Brock…” I whisper slightly, but then put on a small smile as I shake her hand. “What are you doing here? I thought you were out in Paris taking in the views?”

“I was! But then JJ told me about some of the shit that’s been going down here and… come on.” Edna teased, giving me a quick nudge on the shoulder. “You knew I was obsessed with Spider-Woman back then. Now she’s fighting actual super villains? That’s something I gotta see.”

“Alright you two, get a fucking room or shut up and listen.” JJ called, pulling the attention back to her. “Parker. If there is another Spider sighting and Ms. Brock here gets me better pictures before you do then you’re fired.” She says, her voice almost more like she was stating facts than she was angry… well, angrier than normal. “Now get out of my office.”